Supporting Young People in Bristol

We support young people in Bristol through 1-1 support, coaching and helping them into volunteering placements in the local community. If you are a young person and care-leaver or not in education, training or employment, or experiencing issues with your confidence, motivation or just don't know where to begin, we can help. We know it can be difficult to find your path, and we believe that everyone has something special to offer. We work with you for as long as it takes to help you find your passion and to help improve your life, to help you feel positive about your future, confidence and job prospects.

Our Bristol Young People's Programme is led by our Volunteer Project Manager Polly, and our Allotment Project is led by our Sessional Worker Mel.

Polly Gunton

Volunteer Project Manager

Young People, Bristol

Polly comes from a background in the charity and social care sector. Polly’s love of creating volunteer opportunities and supporting young people was discovered while volunteering with the Outdoor Education Department at the North York Moors National Park. This passion was solidified during her three years with Nepal-based charity, Conscious Impact, developing and delivering a youth programme in a rural Nepali community. This passion then led Polly into the social care sector on her return to the U.K. Since moving to Bristol, Polly has worked with Unique Voice, coordinating creative summer programming for children before joining the Step Together team in September 2021. In her spare time, Polly enjoys long walks and cycle rides, reading, writing and watching live music and theatre.

Mel Head

Sessional Worker

Young People, Bristol

Mel joined Step Together in September 2021, having worked with Young People for 20 years in a wide range of roles, including mentoring, family support work, delivering groupwork and detached youth work. Alongside her role as Sessional Worker for Step Together, Mel is a qualified Forest School Leader and runs forest school sessions for 4-16 year olds. Mel also has her own allotment where she grows her own fruit and veg, and enjoys painting, sewing, cooking and anything crafty. She also loves to paddleboard and travel – preferably together!

'Get Growing!' Allotment Project

Thanks to funding from Bristol City Council's Bristol Impact Fund, our volunteers have been working on setting up our very own allotment! Since we started the project, our volunteers have transformed the land, from overgrown plants and brambles, to a thriving allotment with a rich variety of fruit, vegetables, flowers and special spaces set up for the wildlife. We've even got a shelter and a fire pit to keep everyone warm in the colder months, where everyone can relax for a cuppa after their hard work!

If you'd like to find out more about volunteering in Bristol, contact our head office and speak with our team, or ask to speak with Polly.