Our Mission 

Impact exists to support young people and to help them advance in life. Underpinned by a Christian ethos we provide activities and services to assist them in developing their skills, capabilities and capacities. The aim is to enable young people to participate in society as mature responsible individuals. 

Overview 

Impact is a Christian youth work registered charity. It was founded in Christchurch in 2006 by Ruth Egan and Rev Mike Yates who are qualified and experienced youth workers. The aim of the project is to connect with the young people in the community who are finding life tough, and subsequently seeking escape in illegal activities and antisocial behaviour. Having seen notable success in Christchurch, in 2008 Purbeck District Council asked Impact to replicate its project in Swanage. Since then Impact has also established a detached project in Weymouth and operates Bike Projects in Poole and Verwood.

The Need 

Having worked in Dorset for a number of years, Impact recognises that there are young people in the area that are dealing with big issues. They can feel marginalised in communities with aging populations. Affluent surroundings can mask poverty which can be heightened by family problems and breakdown. All of these things can provide an environment of low self-esteem and self-worth creating a degenerative cycle leading to alcohol and substance misuse, anti-social behaviour and gang culture. 

Working in Partnership 

Impact works closely with the Police, local authorities and NHS, as well as maintaining important relationships with Safer Neighbourhood Teams to operate on the front line with its youth and community projects. Impact is also the lead partner in MAYO (Multi-Agency Youth Outreach), and would not be able to do the work that it does without the support of professional services such as SHADOWS (Shire Alcohol and Drugs Outreach Workers Services) and the local churches within the community.