🇬🇧 Global Links 🇺🇸

Our Global Links Project is an exciting international youth exchange between Oxhill Youth Club in County Durham, England, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay in Florida, USA.

The project was created from a shared belief that young people should have opportunities to experience new cultures, develop their confidence, broaden their horizons and build friendships that can last a lifetime.

What started as an idea and a simple conversation has grown into an incredible partnership, bringing young people and youth workers from two different countries together through shared experiences, activities and opportunities.

🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸 One Week. Two Countries. One Incredible Story.

In August 2026, we welcomed our American friends from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay to the North East of England for an unforgettable week.

Throughout their visit, young people from both countries took part in a packed programme of activities and experiences, including visiting Tanfield Railway, South Shields, Locomotion in Shildon, the Metrocentre, Durham Cathedral and Castle and Infinite Air, alongside exploring local communities and spending time together.

The week was about much more than sightseeing. It was about friendship, teamwork, cultural exchange, confidence and creating memories together.

Young people had the opportunity to learn about each other's lives, communities and cultures, discover similarities and differences between life in the UK and USA, and develop relationships that continued long after each day's activities had finished.

Creating Lasting Connections

The Global Links Project has shown us the incredible impact that international experiences can have on young people.

It has given our young people the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, meet new people, experience a different culture and realise that the world is full of possibilities. For our young people, the project has been a chance to see that friendships can cross oceans, cultures and thousands of miles and for our staff and volunteers, it has been equally special. What began as a partnership has developed into a genuine friendship and a feeling of being part of one big Global Links family.

🌎 The Journey Continues

The 2026 exchange was only the beginning.

Following the incredible week in the UK, we are now looking forward to taking Global Links across the Atlantic to Florida in summer 2027, where our young people will have the opportunity to visit our friends at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay and experience life in the United States.

We are incredibly proud of what Global Links has already achieved and excited about what the future holds.

One week. Two countries. Countless memories. A whole new family 🇬🇧❤️🤍💙🇺🇸