The Youth Association’s Residential 2025
This week, 18 of us gathered at the stunning Bagden Hall in Huddersfield for a two-day staff training residential. Everybody joined, from part-time youth support workers like myself to our CEO, Dmitry. A stately home restored by Jack Braithwaite in 1989, Bagden Hall was the perfect backdrop for a mix of professional development, team bonding, and a healthy dose of mischief.
Day One:
We kicked off at 9:30am with a high-energy rock-paper-scissors tournament. Nathan emerged victorious, earning the first points of the residential and a prize of sharpie pens. This set the tone for the competitive spirit that would follow.
We were then split into three “theme teams” based on our core programmes at The Youth Association: Future Man, Her Future, and Street Voice. Each team discussed what’s working well and what needs to evolve. Presenting our ideas back to the group sparked powerful conversations.
Lunch was fine dining with a twist: juicy jacket potatoes, baked beans, and salad. Simple, but somehow elevated in the Bagden Hall setting.
The afternoon took us outdoors for a scavenger hunt across the grounds, creatively developed by Gill. Riddles, selfies, and quizzing the reception staff brought out everyone’s inner detective. The Her Future team returned first, earning extra points and bragging rights.
Later, we worked on standardising our workshop templates to improve consistency across our programmes, and we welcomed Dmitry to the residential. Then came some well-earned free time. Some of us hit the bar, and some relaxed in the rooms. Aaron took himself out for a run and returned soaked to the core after getting caught in a storm.
Dinner was a formal affair, with people reflecting on the day. But the evening took a dramatic turn when I revealed a murder mystery game. Each staff member received a secret task to “murder” someone in plain sight. Within 30 minutes, Anna had taken out Aaron with a handbag. Trust levels plummeted.
Jody and Hannah stole the show when they reappeared in inflatable cow costumes, sparking a spontaneous dance-off. Hannah’s twerking and worm moves earned her more points.
After dessert, some of us drifted off for quiet time (shoutout to Abbie with her cheeseboard and rosé), while others stayed up for a music quiz. I strategically joined Anna and Emily’s team. They are known quiz champions, and we cleaned up. The night ended for some at 2am. For others, much earlier.
Day Two:
After a peaceful night, I started the day with a run through the fields. Over breakfast, Jody tried to “murder” Emily with a jug of tea but was caught red-handed.
We regrouped with Dmitry and eased into the day with some stretches and strategy. Coffee and electrolytes were passed around to counteract the previous night’s indulgences.
Back in our theme teams, we generated ideas for Youth Work Week in November. Emily’s celebration of youth work idea won the vote, along with a water bottle prize.
Dmitry then introduced us to 24 character traits chosen to reflect our organisation’s values. We spent the next few hours analysing ourselves and each other against these traits. It was intense but insightful. I rated myself low on confidence, but others saw me differently. The trait comparisons are a reminder of how differently we can view ourselves.
Lunch was another hit: orzo pasta salad, sandwiches, and a surprisingly delicious carrot cake (which Skubie controversially stacked on top of his fries).
In the afternoon we welcomed three of our Trustees, Clare, Claire, and Haley. In theme teams we each shared our reflections. We then reconvened for Dmitry’s deep dive into the 24 traits. It’s become a tradition at our residentials, and it always sparks meaningful self-reflection.
We wrapped up with a final dinner and an award ceremony. Anna and Nathan received certificates for aligning most closely with the organisation’s strategy. Katie was crowned the most prolific murderer as well as the most elusive murder-dodger. Jody was awarded ginger biscuits for being the most self-aware, and he and Nadine received a joint award for having the most similar character traits, a testament to their shared approach and values. And me? I walked away with the most points overall, thanks to my murder mystery skills, quiz prowess, and scavenger hunt speed.
This residential was more than just training. It was a chance to connect, reflect, and grow, both individually and as a team. Whether you’ve worked here for decades or just met your colleagues last week, Bagden Hall brought us all a little closer (even if we were secretly plotting each other’s demise).
Here’s to the next one!!
