How and why 
Our philosophy | Assets for young people | Universal vs targeted | Relationships | Quality of life | Nurturing | Developing | Enriching
Our Philosophy - the Citadel believes development for young people is enhanced when:
- There is a shared vision of what positive development looks like and how it is achieved
- This vision is embedded in communities and in all children's settings
- This vision recognises the power of positive relationships and places these at the centre of work with children and young people
- Young people are regarded as individuals to be nurtured not problems to be fixed
- And when young people do experience problems, adults share the responsibility to help them in ways that are acceptable to them
Over 200 young people in our area ‘belong to' the Citadel and use our youth clubs for juniors, intermediates, seniors and girls.
We provide additional support to around 70 young people outwith youth clubs.
We create specialist group work programmes for around 50 young people who need this
We provide intensive individual support for around 20 young people who need extra help
Assets for young people - young people as assets
Research has shown that young people who experience a range of different assets in their lives are more likely to develop and achieve, more likely to bounce back when they experience setbacks, and more likely to make positive life choices
These assets are developed internally within young people, and externally in communities.
‘Internal' assets the Citadel helps young people develop:
- to like learning and feel committed to learning
- to have respect for self and others
- to have positive values
- to feel confident in social situations
- to feel positive about her or his own identity
‘External' assets the Citadel helps our community develop:
- support for young people to be the best they can be
- empowerment for young people to participate
- clear boundaries and positive expectations
- facilities and opportunities for constructive use of time
The more we can focus on building assets and the more we can give young people places to go and things to do which reduce their exposure to negative experiences, the better.
Universal versus targeted provision
If social exclusion and inclusion are seen as processes, and young people's vulnerability is fluid rather than fixed, then provision which allows young people to move seamlessly between universal, open access provision and more targeted individual support is essential, and will be the only way we can ensure young people don't fall through the ‘gaps'. The Citadel offers both, in a life-course approach that avoids stigmatising young people but ensures their needs are met.
Relationships - at the centre of our work
The Citadel's approach is about fun, maximising learning and valuing positive relationships across the age ranges, in all kinds of clubs and programmes. We are open to everyone ages 6-21, at any time as they grow up.
All young people come here because they want to (although some young people are introduced to us through other agencies). We are a local resource that families and young people come to know and trust.
Because we get to know young people over long periods of time - from childhood to young adulthood - we can create bespoke opportunities to meet their individual needs, through group work and individual work.
Because we know all young people are different, and because we have long term relationships with them, we don't argue that any single feature of our work is what makes a difference - we know it is the holistic, long term approach that works.
Quality of Life
What the Citadel achieves through community-based youth work is a way to create the positive conditions which enhance the quality of life of young people: we provide the physical space and the emotional and social space for them to develop and contribute to their world.
We believe their community is their world when they are young, but we also believe that a strong sense of place during childhood leads to a commitment to preserve the integrity of communities in adult life. We help young people create a sense of belonging that lasts.
Nurturing: I have, I am, I can
Young people's lives are complex - we work in a changing community with pockets of serious disadvantage where young people can see and know too much too young.
Our open access allows us to help young people grow up knowing they have support whenever they need it.
Our relationships with young people help us to identify their potential as well as their needs. Our long term approach means we have the patience to help young people work out and change their view of who they are.
The opportunities we provide give every young person the chance to experience achievement, and to explore what they can do.
Developing
Young people's lives are complex - we work in a changing community with pockets of serious disadvantage where young people can see and know too much too young.
Our open access allows us to help young people grow up knowing they have support whenever they need it.
Our relationships with young people help us to identify their potential as well as their needs. Our long term approach means we have the patience to help young people work out and change their view of who they are.
The opportunities we provide give every young person the chance to experience achievement, and to explore what they can do.
Enriching
We make a contribution to the community environment in which young people develop, by creating a micro-climate where children feel safe and where adults take their role as educators, supporters and role models seriously. Families entrust us with this role.
For families who are struggling with parenthood themselves, our open access, long term presence, makes us a non-threatening partner for help.
