Bestival

The Youth Trust are pleased and proud to be part of the wonderful Bestival and Camp Bestival families, having worked at the beautiful Robin Hill supporting the Bestival since the very first one. We provide welfare, lost and found children, a ‘crash’ tent, information, de-canting, counselling and other ‘helpful’ services. 

Both Bestival and Camp Bestival are very important to the Youth Trust's annual fundraising calendar and both are always a weekend to remember of hard work and ‘fun’draising. The Youth Trust team always have a great time, whilst at the same time raising much needed funds for the work of the charity. 

The Youth Trust provides counselling to children and young people on the Isle of Wight and has seen demand for its services rise dramatically in previous years. For example, between 2007 and 2012 the number of children and young people referred to the Youth Trust doubled, and last year we delivered nearly 1,000 more counselling sessions than in 2007. Part of this rise is due to the fact that the Youth Trust has started to work with younger children, those aged under 13 and their families, to help overcome issues they may be experiencing in the family or at school. We help by listening and talking and working with the young person, child and/or family to address the issues that are presented to our qualified counsellors. Issues such as depression, bereavement, self-harming, low self-esteem, peer pressure etc. are all common amongst the older age group, whilst issues such as the splitting-up of parents, behaviour at school or at home, peer and family relationships etc. are common amongst the younger age group.  

We also offer support to young people trying to address drink and/or drug misuse issues, through a project called The Works. The Works helps young people address their own drink and/or drug misuse issues and get their lives back! It helps them reduce their use and, hopefully, aims to help young people to abstain altogether.

Through the amazing generosity of the Bestival and Camp Bestival teams, and those that attend both of these fantastic events, we are able to offer more help to more young people, children and families, as well as being able to develop and provide other services on the Isle of Wight to those young people who need them.