Shaping the Future of Voluntary Youth Work: A Sector Conversation on Structure, Trust & Collaboration

Elizabeth McArdle (Ulster University) will present key insights from the research report “How to Grow the Voluntary Youth Work Sector in Northern Ireland”, commissioned by the Voluntary Youth Work Sector Coordinating Committee and funded by the National Lottery Dormant Accounts Fund NI.

Key Research Findings

The research highlights two core recommendations essential to the sector’s future:

• Infrastructure support is urgently needed to ensure the sustainability and development of voluntary youth work.
• Relationships and trust must be restored and rebuilt across all youth work providers in Northern Ireland.

What We Will Explore

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to reflect on past structures and to collectively envision what comes next. Together, we will consider:

• What structures, if any, should emerge to support the sector over the next decade.
• How trust can be rebuilt and relationships strengthened across diverse youth work organisations.
• What principles are needed to build cohesion and collaboration across the sector.

Workshop Format

• Research Presentation – Elizabeth McArdle shares key findings and recommendations.
• Facilitated Dialogue – Ulster University colleagues lead discussion with sector partners.
• Collective Visioning – Gathering perspectives on the future shape of sector infrastructure.

Investment Opportunity

The National Lottery Dormant Accounts Fund NI has indicated interest in investing in a strategic group to help reconvene and strengthen the voluntary youth work sector. Your insights and leadership will directly influence the shape of this opportunity.

Who Should Attend

We are inviting an initial group of leaders from across the voluntary and community youth work organisations who want to shape the future direction of the sector — including regional voluntary youth organisations, local delivery organisations, uniformed organisations, faith organisations and those committed to strengthening youth work provision across Northern Ireland.

• Hosted by NICVA
• Facilitated by Ulster University