BA dissertation which examined the impact of the 2008 Refugee Inclusion Strategy of Wales on the integration of young asylum seekers and refugees aged between 16 and 25, living in Newport City. The study explored the young people’s own perception of integration, and their experience and challenges throughout the process in relation to social and youth provisions. Qualitative methodology was adopted as the best approach for this study in order to explore experiences, emotions and feelings as well as identifying problems. Interviews were conducted with fourteen young asylum seekers and refugees in order to address the research topic.

Despite the fact that the youth service has a responsibility to deliver services as stated in the Refugee Inclusion Strategy, and despite the fact that effective youth service plays a significant role in promoting young people’s educational, personal and social development in every aspect, this study finds that the majority of the participants did not have knowledge or experience of youth work delivered by the youth service in Newport City. Some related youth work was facilitated by voluntary groups to support this vulnerable group of people. The Newport Youth Service needs to reach out to these disadvantaged young people with greater awareness and understanding to ensure inclusion for sustainable integration.   

BA(Hons) Youth & Community Work dissertation which considers how effectively the Youth Service responds to the needs of young parents living in rural Wales.

Policies on preventing unwanted teenage pregnancy are currently high on the agenda and reducing rates of teenage conception is one of the key priorities for public health outlined in The Welsh Government Sexual Health and Wellbeing Action Plan (WAG, 2011) However, few studies have considered the specific needs of young parents and especially for those who are living in rural and often isolated areas of Wales.

The main aim of this study will look to demonstrate that through engaging in Youth Work activities young parents will receive the support they need to make a successful transition to adulthood.

This article was developed as part of the new BA level global youth work module at George Williams College.  This article is one of five developed for Unit Two of the course which explores the theme “Glocal” which aims to help learners explore how globalisation and global issues impact on our own local communities and the young people we work with.