👩‍🎓 Empowering Plymouth’s Youth: Outreach, Education & Real-World Skills

Plymouth is seeing a positive shift in how young people are being supported;

Thanks to innovative local outreach and grassroots initiatives that give teenagers the tools and confidence to thrive.

From meaningful conversations on the streets to free community cooking classes, these efforts are building stronger relationships, safer communities, and more capable young adults.

In a recent initiative, Devon & Cornwall Police launched a youth engagement programme in Plymouth city centre that connected with more than 80 young people aged 14 to 20. Officers walked the streets during peak evening hours, holding honest conversations around alcohol awareness, personal safety, and the impact of choices made during adolescence. This proactive, community-led approach is helping to break down barriers between police and local youth—creating mutual respect, reducing antisocial behaviour, and reinforcing that public services are here to help, not punish.

Beyond public safety, some of the most impactful changes are happening in community centres and kitchens. One standout example is a project known as "Take Away Tuesdays", a series of free cooking classes for young people aged 10 to 25. While originally launched in previous years, this youth-led initiative continues to inspire and influence how organisations empower young people. By learning to cook affordable meals, participants gain practical life skills, build confidence, and help reduce food waste. These sessions not only address youth hunger and food insecurity but also bring young people together to collaborate, learn, and lead.

At Plymouth Sports Charity, we know that supporting young people goes far beyond sports. We champion activities that promote responsibility, wellbeing, and connection. From physical health sessions to skill-building projects, we’re proud to back the city’s efforts to nurture the next generation of leaders.

Plymouth is proving that when young people are engaged—not overlooked—they rise to the challenge. Whether it’s through a chat with a neighbourhood officer or learning to prepare a healthy meal, the foundation for a better future is being built one conversation, one skill, and one young person at a time.