NORTH Yorkshire's community education service is in need of adults to work with young people.

Almost 400 workers are employed by the service, across 29 districts, working between two and 20 hours a week.

They provide support for young people through arts, sports and leisure, as well as helping young people on the streets through detached youth work.

The education officer for community learning, Tony Turner, said a typical local community education district would have one or more youth clubs, detached youth workers, a Duke of Edinburgh and Youth Achievement Awards group, support for some young people excluded from school, sports activities, arts-based activities, as well as advice and guidance for young people. He said: "In fact they provide services to North Yorkshire's young people when and where the young people want them to."

Free training is offered and many people start by volunteering and then go on to become paid youth workers.

Tony said: "The service is always looking for people over 18 who are interested in working with young people.

"No experience is necessary, although you need to understand the issues facing young people today and be prepared to help them through a short period of their life that can be quite a roller-coaster ride."

For more information visit the website at www.northyorks.gov.uk/lifelonglearning or contact Jane Brierley on 01609 532590.

Updated: 09:23 Wednesday, October 02, 2002