EMPOWER: Oxfordshire Youth and Radley College Leadership and Wellbeing Retreat launches today

Oxfordshire Youth and Radley College are celebrating an important milestone in their multi-year partnership with the launch of a flagship Leadership and Wellbeing Retreat for Youth Leaders.  

Hosted in Radley College’s stunning grounds, this first-of-its-kind offer for youth sector leaders driving change across Oxfordshire opens its doors today. EMPOWER is prioritising wellbeing and leadership development at a time when young people’s mental health needs are escalating, demands on NHS services are high and our sector faces growing challenges in securing the funds required to successfully deliver life-changing services.

Radley is hosting 15 leaders across two days, providing participants with a chance to step away from the relentless grind, soak up the peaceful surroundings, use the school’s amazing facilities, and be supported by a range of inspirational speakers. David Cruchley, Oxfordshire Youth’s Senior Youth Partnerships Manager describes the space we have created, “This will be a place of safety and reflection for leaders that work at the hard end of community service provision. We hope that participants will leave the retreat feeling inspired and energised to continue to provide exceptional support for young people across the county.” 

The retreat is an essential part of a three year project generously funded by The Prudence Trust and aiming to strengthen and develop outstanding leaders, ensuring that they receive the support they require to meet the growing needs of their communities. And it is just one of a number of initiatives spearheaded by the Oxfordshire Youth and Radley College partnership including a YouthforYouth physical exercise campaign designed to mobilise young people from diverse backgrounds to unite in their mission to tackle inequality of opportunity.

Radley is committed to a strong partnership ethos rooted in its ambition to enact positive change, and firm commitment to make a meaningful and lasting difference to issues of inequality. John Sparks, its Director of Partnerships is delighted to be working in partnership with Oxfordshire Youth. “In supporting the Leadership and Wellbeing Retreat, we hope to help bring together youth leaders from across the county, and together we are striving to mobilise young people to increase inclusion and aspiration in tackling inequality of opportunity.”