Virtual Youth and Community Centre

At AYP, online engagement will extend our in-person offer from the new building so that people can connect, learn and get support wherever they are. This virtual centre will complement on-site programmes and operate safely and inclusively for young people, adults and families.

Why this matters (post-pandemic)
Online engagement has been identified as an urgent need because many young people:

  • were unable to attend in person during lockdowns/quarantine and had no activities at home;

  • face barriers such as lack of parental permission, low confidence, religious or cultural constraints;

  • prefer to engage online;

  • cannot attend when youth clubs are closed outside standard hours.

The Virtual Youth and Community Centre will work in conjunction with the physical youth centre in London and AYP’s sister centre in Tanzania, enabling shared programmes and exchanges.

Key Services We Will Provide

Virtual Youth Club

  • Online arts and crafts, group discussions, digital gaming sessions, and creative projects.

  • Moderated, safeguarded spaces with scheduled drop-ins and themed evenings.

Online Counselling and Wellbeing

  • Bookable one-to-one support and small group sessions delivered securely by qualified staff.

  • Wellbeing workshops (stress management, resilience, mindfulness).

Digital Sports & Activity

  • Interactive online sports games and movement sessions (with optional use of VR headsets where accessible) to encourage physical activity at home.

Tuition, Study & Qualifications

  • Online tuition, revision groups, and study clubs.

  • Workshops leading to qualifications and accredited awards, selected annually by young people (e.g., leadership, digital skills, First Aid/MHFA theory components where appropriate).

Virtual Community Hub (All Ages)

  • Online drop-ins for advice and signposting (benefits, housing, employment).

  • Short courses for adults and parents (digital basics, ESOL conversation practice, budgeting).

  • Live webinars with professionals and community partners.

International & Cross-Centre Collaboration

  • Joint online sessions with the Tanzania sister centre (culture, language exchange, co-projects).

  • Guest speakers and peer meet-ups across sites.

Our Mission

Through the Virtual Youth and Community Centre, AYP aims to:

  • remove access barriers by offering safe, flexible, out-of-hours participation;

  • extend education, wellbeing and advice services to residents who cannot attend in person;

  • build digital confidence across all ages;

  • create a blended, resilient model of on-site and online community engagement.

Outputs

  • 300 residents and young people engaged annually through virtual programmes.

  • 100 online sessions (clubs, workshops, advice drop-ins) delivered each year.

  • 50 participants achieving accredited or non-accredited online learning outcomes annually.

  • 20 digital mentors trained to support safe participation.

  • 12 cross-centre exchanges or joint online events with Tanzania per year.

Outcomes

  • Increased access and participation for those facing logistical, cultural or confidence barriers.

  • Improved digital skills and self-efficacy across young people and adults.

  • Better continuity of support during evenings, holidays and disruptions.

  • Enhanced wellbeing and connection, reducing isolation.

  • Stronger international links and cultural understanding through joint programmes.