International Youth Leaders Visit Rugby Portobello Trust

P3’s Rugby Portobello Trust (RPT) was honoured to welcome a group of young leaders from Bahrain as part of an international study visit through the Young Parliamentarian Programme, run by the Youth Pioneer Society.  

Each year, the Young Parliamentarian Programme brings together around 50 young people aged 18–25 to learn about democratic systems, civic leadership and how change happens in practice. At the end of the programme, ten participants are chosen for an international study visit. This year, those young leaders travelled to the UK to learn more about community-based youth work from RPT, a P3 centre that’s been supporting its local community for more than 140 years. 

The group was keen to hear about how charities work in the UK, how young people’s voices are listened to at P3 and what youth leadership looks like at a local level. They were especially interested in how community organisations help young people feel connected, confident and able to shape their own futures. 

The Rugby Portobello Trust was a fitting site for these conversations, with its wide-ranging experience working with the community to develop services that build confidence, open doors to opportunities and help young people realise their potential. 

After a warm welcome and a tour of the building, Eamonn O’Keeffe, Head of Family and Youth Services at RPT, gave an overview of our youth programmes. This was followed by a wider look at P3’s work and values from Mark Simms, P3’s Chief Executive. The visit ended with refreshments, questions and open conversation, giving everyone the chance to share ideas and learn from one another. 

Highlighting the value of the visit, Eamonn said, “Being able to support the learning of our overseas peers is always a blessing. We shared interesting discussions around practice, from day-to-day delivery through to finance and government oversight on charities, and the Young Leaders said they took a lot away from our conversations.” 

The visit highlighted the important role that community-based youth organisations like RPT play in building connected communities where young people have a voice. Most importantly, it gave the Young Leaders delegation a first-hand look at how charities support democratic life and help young people and families get involved in shaping not just their everyday lives, but their futures. 

To find out more about our youth programmes and how we support young people in our communities, click the button below.