Rural youth work in an inclusive and connected way
Developing
Opportunities
For Young People
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What does traye do?
Totnes Rural Area Youth Engagement (TRAYE) has been delivering community youth work and developing opportunities for young people in rural communities in South Hams and Teignbridge for the last 10 years.
Our work uses various methods of engagement ranging from, open access youth clubs, project work, such as environmental activities, our “Youth Can Make a Difference” Forum, outreach, and street-based work and 1:1 support for those identified as most vulnerable.
All of our Youth Club sessions are free and include free healthy snacks, drinks and a small sweet treats for all young people who attend. Sessions also include an educational activity, fun, games and lots of creativity!
We made a song! check it out:
watch our social impact video to understand how we develop opportunities for young people
TOTNES youth can make a difference forum
In August 2021, TRAYE were given funding from the National Lottery to take this idea forward.
The Youth Can Make a Difference Forum continue to take action in their communities, most recently donating food to the Totnes Food Bank and discussing issues such as inequality and discrimination.
For young people aged 11+. Every other Thursday 4pm – 5.30pm at Totnes United Free Church.
Please contact Kerry McCabe: kmccabe.traye@gmail.com for more information.
- To ensure young people are heard
- That young people take part in decisions that affect their lives
- To create safe spaces for young people to explore their feelings, thoughts and wishes
- To develop young people’s capacity to care for each other and support them to value this as a key life skill
- To increase access to volunteering, training, and paid work opportunities
- To increase employability for young people and work readiness.
- To increase access to existing community support, such as partner organisations, local activities and community events helping young people to become more actively involved in the life of their community
TOTNES YOUTH LEISURE NIGHT
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Dartington Youth Club
Dartington sessions happen every two weeks on a Wednesday evening and are delivered from the Dartington Village Hall, which is a large space with good facilities.
We deliver quality youth work, in line with our Yearly Programme Plan and the main highlights include various games and educational quizzes during the winter months, Christmas celebrations and a mix of outdoor games, sports and picnics in the summer months.
The young people also love to cook, and this gives us a great opportunity to work with them around healthy food, diet, and budgeting for food.
Dartington Youth Club – For young people aged 8+, Wednesday evenings 6.30pm – 8pm, every 2 weeks at Dartington Village Hall.
Please contact Kerry McCabe: kmccabe.traye@gmail.com for more information.
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Staverton Youth Club
Staverton Youth Club sessions take place on a Thursday evening and on a two-weekly basis, with sessions delivered in the Staverton Courtroom, Staverton Pavilion and Landscove Victory Hall.
This enables us to reach more young people and offer a wider scope of activities and settings.
We deliver activities such as Outdoor Education including nature walks, river swimming and outdoor ball games and picnics.
Staverton Youth Club – For young people aged 8+, Thursday evenings 6.30pm – 8pm, every 2 weeks at Staverton Courtroom (Autumn/ Wintertime), Landscove Victory Hall (Springtime) and Staverton Pavilion (Summertime).
Please contact trayeproject@gmail.com
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Marldon Youth Club
Marldon Youth Club is for young people aged 8 – 16 years old. It’s a large, fun and active group with plenty of games and crafts to get involved in. The young people in this area particularly like to cook and learn about different topics and cultures from around the world.
Marldon Youth Cafe – For young people aged 8 – 16, Friday evenings 6pm – 7.30pm, every 2 weeks at Marldon Village Hall.
Please contact Kerry McCabe: kmccabe.traye@gmail.com for more information.
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Holbeton Youth Club
To become a member of Holbeton Youth Club click here.
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Yealmpton Youth Club
For young people aged 8+, runs weekly on a Monday – 6.30pm until 8pm at Yealmpton Athletics Club (seniors one week, juniors the next week.
To become a member of Yealmpton Youth Club click here.
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Rattery Youth Club
Rattery Youth Club runs every two weeks on a Monday evening at Rattery Village Hall.
Young people have really felt the benefit of this project, saying they enjoyed it and have learnt new skills.
There have been outcomes around improved confidence and better mental health – in terms of having new strategies to improve well-being. Also collaborating with each other and working together.
Rattery Youth Club – For young people aged 8+, Monday evenings 5.15pm – 6.45pm every 2 weeks at Rattery Village Hall.
Please contact Adele Marshall: amarshall.traye@gmail.com for more information.
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Bridgetown Youth Club
For young people aged 11+. Every other Tuesday, 7.30pm – 9pm at St John’s Church Hall in Bridgetown.
To become a member of Bridgetown Youth Club click here.
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TQ9 Young Carers Project
For young people aged 11+ who have caring responsibilities and live in the Totnes (TQ9 area). Every other Thursday 4pm – 6pm at Totnes United Free Church.
Please contact Kerry McCabe: kmccabe.traye@gmail.com for more information.
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Habertonford Youth Project
Harbertonford Youth Project runs every two weeks on a Thursday evening at Harbertonford Village Hall.
This is a fun and vibrant session, young people really seem to value this opportunity to socialise in safety, meet new friends and speak to the youth work team.
The young people that attend are very creative and love to be involved in lots of arts and crafts-based activities. Also, we have regular music-based sessions, where a local young man brings his DJ equipment.
Harbertonford Youth Project – For young people aged 8+, Thursday evenings 6.15pm – 7.45pm, every 2 weeks at Harbertonford Village Hall.
Please contact trayeproject@gmail.com
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Buckfastleigh Youth Wellbeing Café
The Buckfastleigh Youth Wellbeing Café offers a holistic programme of sessions to young people aged 11 -19 years.
The delivery of this project includes weekly youth work sessions on a Wednesday evening.
Buckfastleigh Youth Well-Being Cafe – For young people aged 11+, Wednesday evenings 6.30pm – 8.30pm, every week at Inspire Interventions on Old Totnes Road.
Please contact trayeproject@gmail.com
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Young Volunteers Programme
For young people aged 11+ who are interested in building their skills and experience in Youth Work. Monthly meetings on Zoom.
Please contact Kerry McCabe: kmccabe.traye@gmail.com for more information.
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Young Bank Youth Workers Programme
For young people aged 16+ who would like to become trained in Youth Work and gain paid work experience.
Please contact Kerry McCabe: kmccabe.traye@gmail.com for an application pack.
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Trips and Activities
Every year TRAYE carries out a wide range of different trips and activities.
Recent examples have included:
For more information or to submit a request contact us.
- Tree planting
- various Radio shows
- a Permaculture Day
- a trip to the Rare Breeds Farm
- Non-Contact Boxing
- partnership work with Participate Arts
- Outdoor sessions with the Totnes Living Projects
- Quay West
- Woodlands Leisure Park
- a Skate Park event
- Exeter Winter Wonderland
- Bowling
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School Holiday Provision
During School Holidays we provide fun and engaging trips and activities which we ask young people choose.
So far we have enjoyed: Quay West, Woodlands Leisure Park, Adrenaline Trampoline Park and Plymouth Ski Slope.
We also like to explore our local surroundings and learn about the environment we live in, such as nature walks and bushcraft at Pondfield in Dartington and learning about permaculture at New Future’s Academy in Littlehempston.
To see this year’s summer activities, click here.
For more information or to submit a request contact us.
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THE HAPPINESS PROJECT
😊 The Happiness Project – Supporting Young People’s Mental Health & Wellbeing
At TRAYE, we know that mental health is one of the most pressing challenges facing young people today, especially in rural areas, where services can be limited and isolation is more common.
With the support of BBC Children in Need, we launched a six-month pilot programme co-designed with young people. They named it The Happiness Project, a youth-led, therapeutic series of sessions that promote emotional wellbeing through open conversations, creative expression, and trusted, consistent relationships.
Originally piloted in the South Hams with younger participants aged 8–13, the project was so well received that we now know it needs to be expanded, into more areas and with a wider age range. We are currently seeking funding to make this possible.
💬 What Young People Have Said
“It’s the only place I’ve been where I feel I can talk about how I really feel.”
“I learned ways to calm down when I’m overwhelmed. I still use them now.”
“It’s made me realise I’m not the only one going through stuff.”
🌿 What is The Happiness Project?
The Happiness Project is a series of structured wellbeing sessions that run alongside our regular youth clubs and through online sessions. Designed and delivered by trained, trauma-informed youth workers, the sessions offer:
🧠 A safe space to talk openly about mental health
🎨 Creative and reflective activities
💛 Coping strategies rooted in self-awareness and compassion
🧘♀️ Time to explore emotions, identity, and connection
🌍 Signposting to further support in the community
Each session draws on the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) to foster trust, safety and emotional regulation, alongside complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, crystals and flower remedies, which many young people find grounding and helpful.
🌈 Why It Matters
In a world of rising anxiety, relentless social pressures, and uncertain futures, young people don’t just need distractions, they need connection, purpose, and support.
The Happiness Project offers all three, in a way that is youth-led, inclusive, creative, and firmly rooted in the communities we serve.
We’re ready to bring this powerful programme to more places and more young people, and we’re currently seeking partners and funders to help us make that happen.
Interested in supporting or funding the next phase of The Happiness Project?
Get in touch with Kerry McCabe – TRAYE Service Manager – kmccabe.traye@gmail.com