Hessle Road Network (HRN), a cornerstone of youth work and community support in West Hull, was awarded the National Youth Agency (NYA) Quality Mark at Outstanding Level in spring 2025.
The charity was graded at the highest level of excellence in youth work practice having demonstrated a commitment to quality, participation and community-driven service.
During the on-site assessment, youth workers were observed fostering inclusive, respectful spaces where young people felt heard, valued, and empowered. Young people shared how HRN helped build their confidence, develop life skills, and make informed choices about their futures.
Social action is central to HRN’s ethos. Staff actively remove barriers to ensure all young people can engage meaningfully, from participating in structured reflective activities to leading projects that address community challenges.
Key findings: a culture of excellence and innovation
The assessment highlighted four core strengths:
- Long-term engagement: The golden thread through HRN’s work is strong, consistent relationships with young people, some of whom have been involved with the organisation for many years. These enduring connections enable tailored, impactful support.
- Reflective practice: Reflection is woven into every aspect of HRN’s work, empowering young people and staff alike to grow and adapt. Tools like the “Credit System” encourage young people to give feedback and advocate for themselves and others.
- Understanding community needs: By listening to its community, HRN has evolved to tackle urgent issues – such as domestic abuse – through initiatives like the Changing Futures Project, funded by the National Lottery.
- Youth voice and participation: Young people at HRN have real influence, from programme design to participating in quarterly trustee meetings. A clear pathway helps them grow from contributors to leaders of social action.
Laura Keegan, Local Quality Improvement Manager, NYA said: “Hessle Road Network exemplifies what it means to be a beacon of youth work – where innovation in leadership, deep-rooted community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to youth voice come together to create outstanding youth work practice. Their ability to embed reflection, empower young people, and lead with integrity sets a gold standard for the sector.”
Hessle Road Network initially earned the NYA Quality Mark in 2022 and chose to undergo revalidation this year to further strengthen their practices, continually improve service quality, and reaffirm their dedication to providing exceptional support to young people – underscoring their commitment to securing the best outcomes for the local community.
Julie Robinson, Chief Officer, HRN said: “We previously achieved the Quality Mark at Advanced Level, and we are incredibly pleased and proud to have improved on this by achieving the award at Outstanding Level. We very much appreciate the support of the NYA throughout the whole process, and we value their positive feedback highlighting our teams’ commitment to providing high quality services and support to young people. To see how much young people value and benefit from the work that we deliver and having the quality of our work externally recognised is incredibly heart-warming and fulfilling for everyone at Hessle Road Network.”
Formed in 1999, HRN is a community-led organisation with a long-standing commitment to empowering young people aged 9 to 25 years. As a registered charity and trusted local hub, HRN provides a range of open access, targeted, and one-to-one support services. Today, over 430 young people are currently actively engaged with HRN’s activities and programmes, guided by a dedicated team of skilled youth workers.
The future
While HRN celebrates this incredible achievement, the organisation is already looking ahead. Recommendations from the assessment – including refining reflective tools, enhancing youth voice through Hear by Right, NYA’s youth participation framework and exploring qualification pathways, will guide its next phase of growth.
