Plymouth charity provides vital lifeline to young people
Barefoot have been plugging the gap left when other facilities were forced to close in lockdown
A Plymouth charity has been supporting disadvantaged young people throughout lockdown.
Barefoot - which was founded in 1996 - has been caring for their mental health, after all other areas of support disappeared during lockdown.
Since 2013 the charity has been providing critical support to young people in deprived areas of the city.
During the first lockdown, youth workers kept in touch with young people in Ernesettle, Whitleigh, St Budeaux and Kings Tamerton by providing support online.
During the second, new Government guidance has allowed them to keep in contact out on the streets, or indoors for small, high needs groups.
14-year-old Keira said it 'kept her sane':
"I couldn't concentrate on my school work at home, so I came here instead."
"You don't know how important something like this is - it's fun, it helps you interact with other people and you can tell the youth workers literally anything that's bothering you. It's really good to let out the stuff you're going through instead of keeping it all inside."
Barefoot initially started as an arts-based charity, but since switching to youth work they say they have realised how much young people need to support of dedicated professional youth workers.
Charity Director Richard Marsh said it is important that young people have adults who they can trust and confide in:
"There's a tendency to demonise teenagers and forget how hard it is to make the transition from child to adult.
"Now times are even tougher, young people in the areas where we work, more disadvantaged areas of the city, desperately need support, advice and opportunities to develop confidence and have fun."
Barefoot have also used time during lockdown to rebrand, to reflect their work with young people and improve communications.
The charity is currently supporting Plymouth City Council and the police in St Budeaux.
They aim to get back to giving young people the chance to take part in activities such as outdoor adventure, music and go-karting as soon as Covid guidelines allow.