The Bytes Project

The Bytes Project is a youth work charity that has been working with the most vulnerable young people in Northern Ireland for nearly three decades. We were established in April 1993, as an innovative concept for engaging with young people in Belfast, based on experiences in inner-city projects in the USA. The original aim of our work was to take advantage of the entertainment and amusement attraction of computers, working with marginalised young people aged 16 to 25 years old. Initial funding primarily came from Apple, which allowed Bytes to set up ten ‘open house’ facilities for young people to work on employability skills, confidence building, self-esteem and to provide a safe space to work on seeking further education or employment. In our first decade of work, Bytes engaged over 42,000 young people, who gained skills in personal development and information technology. Today, almost 30 years later, Bytes are still providing young people with the essential skills they need to flourish, working across Northern Ireland and cross-border on our own projects and in partnership with schools, statutory bodies, youth clubs, voluntary organisations, and other youth work charities.