City Challenges are a programme of events providing students with the opportunity to engage with charities and social enterprises.
Students can support worthwhile organisations whilst developing skills to improve employability. By taking part in a City Challenge, students gain experience in problem solving, presentation skills, innovative thinking, and community engagement.
Streams Learning Hub
The Streams Learning Hub is a co-working space for teenagers in central Bristol. It provides a flexible space for young people to gather, learn and connect with online providers and in-person workshops and events.
There are an increasing number of young people who struggle to fit into traditional school systems, whether they are neurodivergent, struggling with mental ill health or not thriving in the exam focused school environment; many are falling out of the system. This has left them potentially isolated and unhappy.
Their project is a response to the urgent need for innovative learning experiences for these young people and looks to address the scarcity of affordable and suitable learning spaces in Bristol.
The ‘Hub’ provides these learners with a safe, nurturing environment with connections to localised, online and international providers and learning opportunities, turning Bristol into a welcoming city of learning for teenagers.
The Challenges
The proposed Challenges covered two key aspects of being a learner outside the mainstream education system.
1) The need and desire to develop and build skills which are relevant for today’s world.
Life Skills and Holistic Development: This Challenge focused on how we might integrate life skills development and holistic education into the curriculum at the Streams Home Learning Hub.
The aim is to prepare learners for success in both education and real-world contexts by fostering personal growth, resilience, and self-awareness through tailored programs and activities.
Student ideas for Challenge 1
- Invite different age groups to sessions to share their knowledge and life experiences.
- Partner with local organisations to offer community projects and internships to the students.
- Establish a ‘Life Skills Hub’ featuring monthly workshops on topics such as financial budgeting and mental wellbeing.
- Role-play sessions on real-life scenarios to help students develop their skills.
- Workshops on a variety of job roles to help students explore available career paths.
- Shadowing and mentors for the students to help them develop skills related to their career interests.
2) The need to be able to learn from and build skills using all of the latest technologies.
Technology Integration for Enhanced Learning: This Challenge focused on how we might incorporate technology tools and platforms into the Streams Home Learning Hub to create interactive and engaging educational activities.
The goal is to enhance the learning experience by utilising digital resources that align with the interests and needs of the learners.
Student ideas for Challenge 2
- Make devices available for students who face financial constraints in accessing equipment.
- Highlighting the benefits of learning the latest technologies to students, with real-life examples.
- Weekly training sessions for students to attend on topics such as basic coding, graphic design and AI.
- Giving the students hands on projects like building a simple website to help them develop their skills.
More information for organisations
Find more information about City Challenges, Bristol PLUS, and other ways to get involved on the Careers Service website.
Students – get involved
Our next City Challenge is with 91 Ways on Tuesday 26 November. They are a community-focused social enterprise based in Bristol, inspired by the city’s 91 spoken languages. To read about their Challenge and take part, sign up here.
Find out more about City Challenges and other ways we can help you stand out to employers on the Careers Service website.
If you have any questions about developing your skills, getting work experience, or anything else relating to careers you can speak to us on live chat, or pop in to 5 Tyndall Avenue.