Better Business / Member profile
‘When your team feels safe and inspired, they give their best’
Matt Justice is the chief executive of Youth Moves, who brings extensive experience in youth work and community leadership to the role.
Matt previously served as head of children and young people’s services at West of England Centre for Inclusive Living (WECIL), supporting disabled young people and co-chairs South Bristol’s Youth and Play Partnership, where he has worked to enhance and expand local youth services.
In his current role, Matt will oversee the development of the 224 Youth Zone, a state-of-the-art facility in South Bristol designed to offer young people opportunities in sports, arts and personal development.
Matt Justice with Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South and minister of state for secondary care in the department of health and social care, during a site visit
Can you describe the career journey that has led you to where you are today?
I grew up as a national competitive trampolinist, from around 10 years old into my early twenties, and that really shaped the start of my career. Sport taught me discipline, resilience, how to handle expectations – all the things you need to push yourself forward. That naturally led me into coaching both trampolining and gymnastics, so I studied Sports Coaching at university in Cardiff and then took a full-time role at Axis Trampoline and Gymnastics Club in Bristol.
From a young age, I’d always volunteered to support sessions for disabled young people, and that became a real passion through university and into my coaching career. Eventually, that path took me to WECIL, a disabled people’s organisation supporting independent living, where I led what was then a small children and young people’s department.
At the time, I didn’t really know what youth work was, but over my seven years at WECIL, I got completely immersed in it. I had brilliant colleagues around me who helped me understand the wider world of youth work, and at the same time it was also a period of huge growth and development for the department I led. What started as a small team delivering sessions three days a week with 12 zero-hour staff in one local authority area grew into a thriving service of over 120 staff and volunteers, running sessions seven days a week across three local authorities.
By that point, I was hooked. The sector, the people, and the impact of youth work had completely drawn me in. So, when the opportunity came up to lead Youth Moves and help bring 224 Youth Zone to life in South Bristol, I jumped at it. I felt it was so important that the new CEO really understood the play and youth sector here and had strong local relationships to make 224 a genuine partnership. Everything I’d learned and experienced along the way felt like it had been leading to this – a chance to help create something that could really transform the lives of thousands of young people across South Bristol.
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Tell us about one (or more) of the people who inspired you along the way.
We’re really lucky in Bristol to have such a vibrant play and youth sector, full of passionate, committed leaders and brilliant supporters from across the local authority and private sector. I’ve also been fortunate to have some amazing teachers, lecturers, and coaches who’ve helped me along the way; from a quiet 15-year-old who didn’t really know what his plan was, to where I am today.
It’s hard to pick just a few people because so many have shaped my journey. But one piece of advice that’s always stuck with me came from a colleague at Axis, just as I was leaving to move into the voluntary sector. She said: “If you make a decision and it turns out not to be the right one later down the line, that’s okay – you made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time.”
That really stayed with me. I think inspiration comes from people every day, often when you least expect it. One comment, one conversation, or one bit of advice can stick with you for years.
Are there any memorable challenges you have faced along the way?
I don’t want to dwell on it too much, because it was such a tough time for so many people, but the pandemic was definitely one of the most challenging and memorable periods of my career. Overnight, the whole sector had to completely rethink how we worked, keeping everyone safe while still trying to provide meaningful support for children, young people, and families.
It was incredibly demanding, but it also showed just how innovative and resilient the sector can be. We had to throw years of processes and delivery models out the window and try entirely new approaches. From online youth sessions to doorstep visits and creative ways of checking in with families, we had to constantly adapt to make sure no one felt left behind.
On a personal level, it was a real test of leadership. Supporting teams through such a fast-changing and emotional time, while also trying to look after your own wellbeing, was something I’ll never forget. It really reinforced the importance of clear communication, trust, and compassion in leadership, and how much people can achieve when they feel supported and valued.
But what came out of it was a huge sense of pride. The quality of work, the collaboration, and the sheer determination of staff and volunteers to keep supporting families was inspiring. It reminded me why this work matters so much. Because when things are at their hardest, youth work still shows up, and so do the people behind it.
Bristol Bears star Ellis Genge is one of the ambassadors of 224 Youth Zone
What is the most important thing for you to focus on in business?
For me, it’s always about the people. Especially in youth work, the people you work with, whether they’re directly supporting young people or keeping the organisation running behind the scenes, are what make the difference. Without them, none of the great work we do would happen.
I really believe that leadership isn’t just about managing tasks or systems, it’s about creating a culture where people feel trusted, valued, and supported. That means listening, being honest, showing integrity, and being transparent, even when things get tough. When your team feels safe and inspired, they give their best, and that translates straight into better outcomes for the young people we work with.
It’s also about knowing your team as people, not just employees. What motivates them, what challenges them, and how we can help them grow. The more we support people to be the best versions of themselves, both in and outside work, the better the results we’ll see. Ultimately, a business or organisation is nothing without its people, and if you focus on them first, everything else falls into place.
If you had one piece of advice to offer people aspiring to your role, what would it be?
Patience. Honestly, it’s probably the most valuable tool you can have – alongside the ability to see the bigger picture and plan for it. When I was training as a trampolinist, my coach used to tell me to be more patient and focus on the process. At 19, I didn’t want to hear it – I thought I knew it all – but he was right. Over time, I’ve realised how true that lesson is for leadership too.
Creating the right culture, developing systems, or helping someone grow doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, persistence, and the willingness to step back and reflect along the way. Mistakes will happen, and that’s okay. The key is to learn from them, adjust, and keep moving forward.
I’d also say don’t be afraid to take opportunities, even if they feel scary at the time. Early on, I moved from coaching into the voluntary sector without really knowing what youth work was – it was daunting. But, looking back, that was one of the most important decisions in my career. So, be patient, trust the process, and take the chances that come your way. The outcomes you want will follow if you stay focused on the bigger picture.
224 Youth Zone is a brand-new, state-of-the-art youth hub opening soon in South Bristol
If you could change one thing about your sector, or Bristol as a whole, what would it be?
We’re incredibly fortunate in Bristol to have such a strong and connected play and youth sector – everyone’s driven by the same goal of helping children and young people thrive. Funding is always a challenge in the voluntary sector, so I’d love to see play and youth work recognised on the same level as education or social care in terms of importance and investment.
Beyond that, partnership working is key. The more connected we are between statutory services, voluntary organisations, and communities, the better opportunities we can offer young people. Bristol has so much amazing work happening already, but a bit more alignment and collaboration could make a huge difference, especially for those harder-to-reach young people who need it most.
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What are your aspirations for the future (personally and for Bristol)?
It’s such an exciting time for Bristol’s children and young people. With 224 Youth Zone almost here, we have the chance to create something that genuinely changes lives in South Bristol.
All photos: 224 Youth Zone
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