Why Year of Young People 2018 is the catalyst for young people's voices to be heard - AUTUMN 2018 - YouthLink Scotland
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SUPPORTING YOUTH WORK IN SCOTLAND AUTUMN 2018
THE POWER OF YOUTH PARTICIPATION
Why Year of Young People 2018 is the catalyst
for young people’s voices to be heard
#YouthWorkChangesLives #YOYP2018
Foreword Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government,
Leslie Evans, talks about coming together to
create real change for Scotland’s young people as
we look at the legacy of Year of Young People.
The aim of Year of Young People sector, and I would like to take this A wide package of engagement
(YOYP) 2018 is to inspire Scotland opportunity to pass on my thanks to events have been taking place,
through its young people: celebrating everyone who has supported a young including the Children and Young
their achievements, valuing their person to become involved in this People Cabinet Events, that provide
contribution to communities and YOYP. children and young people with the
creating new opportunities for them opportunities to engage with Scottish
YOYP has also given us a great
to shine locally, nationally and globally. Government ministers and later this
opportunity to co-design projects with
year I am inviting young people to run
I have taken on the role of Senior young people themselves and work in
the Scottish Government’s Executive
Champion for Children and Young collaboration with our partners in the
Board for a day – sharing their
People and have been working this third sector. The creation of FMQT
perspective and challenges.
year to challenge on behalf of young Next Generation, is a great example
people, to champion and celebrate of this collaborative working and has As a nation proud of our young
their achievements, and to collaborate provided a powerful new platform to people, YOYP puts the spotlight on
in order to bring about change – not give young people the opportunity the contributions and achievements
least to ensure policy meets the to speak directly to Scotland’s First of eight to 26 year olds, while giving
needs of children and young people, Minister about the matters that are them a stronger voice on issues that
not the system. affecting them, their friends, family matter to them. I’m determined that
and their schools and communities. this legacy lives on.
I want to ensure that all our young
people feel, and believe, that they are
valued, and that their voices are heard
and listened to. We could not do this
effectively without the continued work
of Scotland’s amazing youth work
2 3
To travel is to live
For Alexandra Person, an experience through Erasmus+ brought
her from her native Germany to the University of Edinburgh. The Erasmus
programme is a story of life-changing funding that opens minds, broadens
horizons and gives young people incredible opportunities that can lead them
onto an exciting future. This is Alexandra’s story, and she now shares her
experience with other young people.
EuroPeers UK is a network of young people My journey as a EuroPeer started one year ago.
who have studied, volunteered and taken part in I went on the EuroPeers UK training course
youth projects in Europe funded by Erasmus+. that provided me with all the skills necessary
The network started in 2016 and was inspired to share my own experiences on a peer-to-
by the German EuroPeers. The aim is to share peer level. Since then I have organised several
experiences about Erasmus+ to make other information events in Edinburgh to speak about
young people aware of all the opportunities these life-changing opportunities. My most
the EU-funded programme provides, as exciting EuroPeers activity so far was speaking
these are often unheard of. As EuroPeers, on a panel at an event about youth mobility
we give presentations at schools, youth clubs, at Europe House in London. This happened
universities, fairs and events that are targeted during my internship at Momentum World, the
towards young people. organisation that runs EuroPeers UK on behalf
of the National Agency for Erasmus+.
I knew it was important to tell other young
people my story, as Erasmus+ has been EuroPeers UK has enabled me to connect with
completely life-changing to me. I want to inspire other people who have similar experiences and
others to embark on their own adventures and who are keen to learn more about different
discover places, people and languages that are cultures. I have gained crucial skills like public
new to them. speaking, which I wasn’t very comfortable
doing before. One of my highlights recently
When I moved from Germany to England in
was traveling to the European Youth Event
2015 to do European Voluntary Service (EVS)
at the European Parliament in Strasbourg
for six months, I got to live and work alongside
to co-facilitate a workshop on the future of
amazing people in different youth clubs, an
Erasmus+. And just in September, I travelled to
alternative school and a soup kitchen. Living on
the international EuroPeers meeting in Estonia
my own for the first time and never having been
to meet active EuroPeers from other countries
to the UK before, I had an exciting time which
like Finland and the Netherlands.
inspired me to move to Scotland for university
afterwards. And here I am, studying in Edinburgh I would absolutely encourage anyone who is
for my whole degree, which I would not have interested in international experiences to start
thought about without Erasmus+. It has also their own journey and join the network as well.
led to some incredible experiences. I have taken
part in several one-week projects like youth
exchanges and training courses in interesting
countries like Bulgaria, Russia and Kosovo.
There is so much you can learn when you go
abroad, and any young person aged 18 to 30,
regardless of their background, can take part in
Erasmus+.
4 w: www.europeers.uk | e: europeersuk@momentumworld.org | t: @EuropeersUK | f: fb.com/EuropeersUK | i: @EuropeersUK 5
A lesson in letting go
Giving over full control of a social media channel to young people with no adult control
or restrictions might give you or your comms team the heebie-jeebies! But that’s exactly
what High Life Highland did. They created Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels
specifically for Year of Young People and gave full control to young people – guess what,
it’s been a huge success! John Taylor, Area Youth Services Officer talks about trust and
embracing the true spirit of digital participation.
Last year we set up three dedicated Ladder of Participation’, really need a space to explore ideas and
Year of Young People (YOYP) means organisations relinquishing concepts with their peers, just as
social media platforms in Highland. power! Organisations now talk of adults do. I’ve also found only good
We followed a good youth work co-producing and co-developing as has come from sharing power with
process in which young people and they look to include young people in young people as it leads to better
I have shared, and continue to do their work. My part in this is to nurture outcomes.
so, a learning journey. The YOYP a democratic process and tip the
Ambassadors had a brief for the balance of power in young people’s High Life Highland acting as
year about connecting with other favour so they have more of a say in supportive hosts and technical
young people, communities and the planning and delivery of anything advisors, offering young people this
organisations, all telling their stories they are involved in. level of control has proved to be
from Highland perspectives. extremely powerful. It has marked
Sometimes I was excluded from
The social media platforms in online chats young people had going a real change in our participatory
Highland were developed and on behind the scenes on the YOYP approach in working, a change that
administered by a small team of platforms. This is not to be feared and could not have been achieved without
young people which started from an should be embraced. Young people trust and collaboration.
authentic conversational approach
with them and a commitment to
valuing and attending to the here-
and-now of their experience.
Not really knowing what direction
the project would take, let alone the
outcome, was an exciting place to
start from. It was important to trust
young people to use the platforms
responsibly, which they did, and what
a contribution they have made to
YOYP in Highland.
These platforms have allowed young
people to connect directly to those
in power and have conversations
with them without restrictions or
censorship. This has started to
change how young people are
perceived and has fostered a better
understanding of what they are
capable of doing. Whether this was
talking at a community partnership
meeting or lobbying at the local
council chambers, it has meant
greater links with services that they
wouldn’t normally reach, and it has
done much to benefit young people in
Highland.
Participation, as reflected in ‘Harts
6 w: highlifehighland.com | t: @hlhsocial | f: fb.com/HighLifeHighland | i: @HighLifeHighland t: @YOYP_Highland | f: fb.com/YOYPHighland | i: @YOYP_Highland 7
Connecting young people to
decisions that impact their lives
PARTICIPATIVE
DEMOCRACY
What is it?
CERTIFICATE
The Participative Democracy Certificate (PDC) is a method The award is internally checked and moderated by the
of recognising and rewarding young people’s involvement organisation submitting a portfolio, it is then externally
Feel the fear
in decision making. quality assured by YouthLink Scotland. Fife College are
This award provides accreditation to young people the Credit Rating Body for the Participative Democracy
actively involved in decision-making in groups. It gives Certificate.
and do it
participants the opportunity to acknowledge and develop
communication, decision-making and participation in the Want to get involved?
context of democratic engagement. Just get in touch with Sarah Robertson at
Did you know the PDC is worth two credits at SCQF Level YouthLink Scotland.
5 and involves 20 hours of learning. Delivery and support
YOYP Ambassador Rachael Hatfield was one of the staff must be CLD or youth work trained to ensure a youth e: srobertson@youthlinkscotland.org
work approach is adopted.
team involved in managing all three social media platforms. t: 0131 313 2488
There is no barrier in terms of age, it is open to everyone,
She believes it was a brave decision and the right decision. enabling participants to gain formal recognition for their
w: www.youthlinkscotland.org/programmes/
participative-democracy-certificate/
Following her experience, her message to organisations is “We’re giving young learning.
to embrace the power of young people to make and be the people control of social
change. So how was the year for Rachael? media platforms!”
“We’re giving young people control and how we would capture them. For the support of High Life Highland,
of social media platforms!”. I could me, working with an audience that Highland Council and the staff who’ve
picture the reaction of many people literally grew overnight was such a helped us out at the ground level,
when that meeting took place, yet I learning curve, figuring out how to admittedly this did mean I found
never realised just how powerful this engage with them was even harder. myself teaching a youth worker how
move would be. With politicians, education teams, to use Facebook and the council’s
I was handed access to Facebook, organisations and other youth groups Children’s Services Manager how to
Twitter and Instagram, myself and watching us, we needed to be on top use Twitter!
the other YOYP 2018 Ambassadors of our game.
Overall, it’s been a rewarding
in Highland were told we were in It wasn’t always easy, there was experience and looking to the future
charge, with High Life Highland the challenge of not making it look I know I’ve made connections that
acting only as our hosts. like we were only promoting one will stay with me for years to come.
Scepticism over organisational organisation or a particular part of In Highland we’ve made a real
policies slowly became pride at Highland (it’s a large area to cover!). change enabling young people to
having responsibility that isn’t seen as Then there was the task of making use social media by themselves, to
the normal thing to do. A social media sure we all had some down time, promote themselves. My message
team of young people was quickly young people need it now and then. to organisations is simple: Don’t
formed, we discussed local events As a group we’ve been lucky to have challenge it, embrace it!
#YouthWorkChangesLives
8 t: @YOYP_Highland | f: fb.com/YOYPHighland | i: @YOYP_Highland 9
The campaign reached
over 24 million people
It was clear that a crucial factor
for the success of our campaign
was giving young people a voice.
Through facilitating young people to
work together, there was a culture
of confidence and resilience that
grew from witnessing each other’s
achievements. This inspired many
to express their individual voices to
the media, demonstrate their social
commitment and their right to non-
discrimination, as reflected by the
United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and
specifically the Scottish National
Youth Work Outcomes 1 and 6.
Outcome 1: Young people are
confident, resilient and optimistic for
the future
The many faces to equality Outcome 6: Young people express
their voice and demonstrate social
commitment
In their own words
One of our champions, Jasmine, aged
Imagine what it’s like to live in today’s world of filters and experience of appearance-related
bullying and what they feel needs to
24, reflected: “I instantly felt supported
and understood… It was such a
photoshopping when you look different. Being called “freak”, change to truly achieve face equality.
The results were startling:
rewarding and positive experience and
“monster”, or “hideous” every day. And the abuse doesn’t stop. • Almost half of young people who
I’ve only grown in confidence since
then.” Lucy Ritchie, aged 22
Changing Faces is the UK’s leading charity for everyone who has have a visible difference are bullied
at school
Co-creating a national campaign with Already being a Media Volunteer for Changing Faces, I decided to get
young people has been an incredibly even more involved by joining the Youth Action Group. This allowed us
a medical condition, mark or scar that makes them look different. • Less than 30% of children say they positive process for both our Youth to be able to speak and engage with other young people who have had
would be friends with a child with a Action Champions and Changing similar experiences to our own or to help those who haven’t, have a better
This year they have worked with children and young people visible difference Faces. We continue to be inspired by understanding.
their commitment and potential, and
to design a campaign to achieve true face equality, as Luisa • Just two out of five young people
included in the survey feel confident
look forward to continuing to work Whilst all of our stories and experiences were different, it was important to
together to improve the lives of more be able to learn from this and to be able to give advice.
Brown, Youth Engagement Officer, explains. about their appearance
young people with a visible difference My experience living with disfigurement has mostly been positive and has not
Young people told their stories across the UK. held me back from anything. My message to others is that regardless of the
There are 86,000 children and young our Face Equality Day campaign,
across the national media including: way you look, don’t let it hold you back. Living in a looks-obsessed society, it
people of school age in the UK today represent the charity, share their
BBC Breakfast, ITV and the is important to show the different body types and shapes out there.
with a disfigurement. stories and call for change.
Huffington Post, as well as spreading
| was bro
They are vulnerable to isolation Through the Youth Action Group we have had many opportunities to
Recruited through social media, our their message at a Westminster
ught up change the perception of disfigurement and raise awareness. Being
to
and loneliness, they face teasing, Youth Action Group was made up parliamentary reception. Here are
believe t
ridicule and staring in public. They young individuals, our main mission is to reach people of a similar
of twelve young people aged 11 to their four key recommendations:
experience lowered expectations in hat I’m n age. We have done this by speaking at the House of Commons,
o
25 from around the UK, with and • Lessons in visible difference to be encouraging MPs to enforce appearance-related bullying workshops
school, bullying and harassment, and without visible differences. The group
differen
t to any
included in PSHE curriculum in school which can hopefully educate them. A group of us also met
stereotyping in the media.
one
was facilitated through regular online to discuss how and what should be included in these workshops,
else so
meetings and in-person training in • Commitment from media and
This year, our national awareness day,
why woul
businesses to use more people with discussing important elements such as content, what makes lessons
media and public speaking.
d I
Face Equality Day, saw Changing fun and what teachers should know. An important point that was
visible difference in advertisements
Faces launch a year of campaigning As part of our campaign, we want to picked up on was how every individual’s case is different and should
and actions specifically for children • Commitment from social media change t
he
also commissioned Childwise to be treated to meet their needs. Some may require support, while
and young people with visible run surveys and interviews with companies to operate a zero-
way I loo others may not.
differences across the UK: ‘Proud to over 1,500 seven to 17 year olds tolerance policy on appearance- k?
LUCY
be Me -The Future of Face Equality’. related abuse Being able to hear the different experiences of those within the
throughout the UK to give unique Youth Action Group has given me a platform to discuss things in an
We empowered young people to insights into how young people • Improved services to support young environment where people understand, but also hear stories that can help
speak out, inviting them to co-create feel about their appearance, their people with a visible difference raise awareness of the importance of Face Equality.
10 w: www.changingfaces.org.uk | e: scotland@changingfaces.org.uk | t: @FaceEquality | f: /cfscotland | i: changingfacesuk 11
Youth Participation:
With commitment to incorporate
the principles of the UNCRC by
the Scottish Government in this
year’s Programme for Government
(Scottish Government, 2018) we
A policy perspective
are increasingly optimistic for
young people that they will soon
have domestic legislation which
will protect their right to participate
and express their views. In the
immediate term, the youth work
Youth Participation is integral to youth work – the notion of young people leading, sector should actively engage with
the Scottish Government in the
negotiating, influencing and being partners in decision-making is inherent to the development of the Participation
Framework.
Nature and Purpose of Youth Work. However, we must all dedicate
There are three essential and The notion of partnership between The National Youth Work Strategy ourselves to the pursuit of high
definitive features of youth work: a young person and adult is at 2014-19 has a clear ambition to ‘put quality youth participation, which is
the heart of youth participation in young people at the heart of policy’ characterised by meaningful and
• Young people choose to participate; effective engagement, where young
Scotland. Youth participation should – this in essence is a commitment
• The work must build from where be democratic, representative, to youth participation. The details of people are supported and resourced
young people are; and, informed, and meaningful; and not this ambition include requirements to participate, where barriers to
tokenistic or manipulative. There are for local and national opportunity participation have been removed.
• Youth work recognises the young The UN Committee on the Rights of
numerous academic models of youth for participative consultation, which
person and the youth worker as the Child have identified that some
participation, including Arnstein’s empowers young people to engage
partners in a learning process groups of children and young people
(1969) Ladder of Citizen Participation effectively in decision-making
(YouthLink Scotland, 2015) and Hart’s Ladder (1992) and (Education Scotland et al, 2014). may be less likely to experience their
Treseder’s degrees of participation right to participate. Active measures
Youth participation is not new. Youth are required to hear these views: this
(1997), shown below.
participation has in recent years, includes children and young people
Treseder 1997, adapted and in 2018 catalysed by the Year
from Creative Commons (2012) with disabilities and those affected
Participation Models Citizens, of Young People, received more by the “social, economic or cultural
Youth, Online, page 7 attention from a wider audience than conditions of living in their society,”
ever before. The ‘unusual suspects’ which may include poverty, gender,
are now interested and actively race, ethnicity, religion, sexual
seeking ways to have improved orientation or identity (CRC, 2009).
engagement, involvement and
participation of young people in the Youth work in Scotland is central
design, delivery and evaluation of to continuing to lead and influence
their services. the development of inclusive and
meaningful youth participation in this
In the past few years additional Year of Young People and beyond.
terms have been increasingly used
to describe youth participation: Further Reading:
in particular co-design and co-
production. Irrespective of the United Nations (2009) General
word you use, youth participation Comment No.12, the right of the child
is essentially the upholding of, the to be heard. (United Nations: Geneva)
recognition and full realisation of https://tinyurl.com/ya44ex2p
article 12 (1) of the United Nations
Education Scotland (2018) Learner
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Participation in Educational Settings
In its fullest, this article, contained
(3-18). (Education Scotland:
within the international treaty, says:
Livingston)
“Article 12 (1): States Parties shall https://tinyurl.com/y8q2dw7r
assure to the child who is capable
Education Scotland et al (2014)
of forming his or her own views the
Our Ambitions for improving the life
rights to express those views freely
chances of young people in Scotland:
in all matters affecting the child, the
National Youth Work Strategy 2014-
views of the child being given due
19. (Education Scotland: Livingston)
weight in accordance with the age
https://tinyurl.com/yazxp7s3
and maturity of the child.”
(UNCRC, 1989)
12 w: www.youthlinkscotland.org | e: shunter@youthlinkscotland.org 13
Be the change you seek
Our environment isn’t just the air we breathe and The programme is a two-year partnership between
Greenspace Scotland and Youth Scotland, and is funded by
the food we eat, where you live affects not only the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish Government.
your health and happiness but your opportunities Youth Participation is identified as critical to youth work
and as such is embedded in key youth work policies, such
for the future. The most powerful change as UNCRC and the National Youth Work Outcomes. It was
also a central theme of Year of Young People - to give
often comes from within the community itself. young people the chance to influence decisions that affect
their lives.
Community-based youth work organisation, Youth At Youth Scotland we have a variety of ways young
Scotland, is empowering young people in their people participate and shape the work we do, whether it
is planning national events, like the Big Ideas Weekend,
local areas to take action and create the change leading sessions or attending one of our youth participation
programmes like Young Placechangers.
they want to see. The programme has three core elements:
Young Placechangers is a participation programme that • Young people and youth workers will be given training
engages and empowers young people to take the lead on both in residential settings and in local clusters
changing the places they live, work or go to school in. The • Applications through the Ideas Fund will support young
programme gives young people, and their youth workers, people to make active change in the place they live, or
the skills and confidence to engage with others in their create something new for the community
communities, to act to improve the environmental quality,
biodiversity, playability and vibrancy of neighbourhoods, and • Support from peers and ‘place professionals’ will inspire
in the process, change attitudes and mindsets. and enthuse
14 w: www.youthscotland.org.uk/programmes/young-placechangers | e: Angela.Houghton@greenspacescotland.org.uk t: @YouthScotland | f: fb.com/youngplacechangers | i: @youngplacechangers 15
Making the change happen
Annabel Matthews, 19, is a young youth worker at As soon as I got back I started
working on the plans we had
Connect Berwickshire Youth Project, based in the Borders. made. The residential gave me the
motivation to get it done. We put
Connect offers a range of youth work opportunities a budget together and we got in
contact with people that could help us
throughout Duns, Coldstream and Eyemouth. She recently change our space. This made me feel
more involved and more included in
attended the Young Placechangers residential and this is the process of changing the area and
it’s nice to know that I have helped to
her experience. make that change.
I first heard of Young Placechangers an area safe, how to do community
The programme has helped me build
my confidence by getting me out
Changing the landscape
when my manager told me about the there, travelling somewhere different,
of participation with
mapping and I also learned how to
residential. I thought this would be get feedback from young people and meeting new people. I now feel I
a good programme to be involved in a fun and creative way. The can talk to new people, just like I did
in as we had ongoing issues with residential gave me more of an idea at the residential. It has also made me
the area just outside our youth club
in Eyemouth. It was messy and
unwelcoming and we wanted to
about what I wanted my area to look
like after I had changed it. Before
feel more included in sharing ideas
and my opinions, making decisions
and acting to change things.
FMQT Next Generation
the residential I just had an idea in
change that so that the area outside my head but after the residential I would definitely recommend
looked nicer, friendlier and more I had put this on paper. I really the programme. I think it’s good FMQT Next Generation is Work Strategy, is one of the six Year of Young
accessible. That is why I got involved People policy themes, and of course, is a right for
with the Young Placechangers
enjoyed listening to other people’s for everyone to do, I feel a lot of a landmark participation all children and young people as outlined in the UN
ideas and suggestions about how people would benefit from it; it’s
programme. they would change their places, and very informative and laid back. It’s a
project, where children and Convention on the Rights of the Child.
I attended the residential at that gave me more ideas about what safe environment and you felt your young people can scrutinise Inspired by First Minister’s Question Time in the
Garelochhead, and I learned all to do. I also enjoyed learning how to voice was heard, and everyone was those at the highest level of Scottish Parliament, we have put together a child-
different kinds of things, what makes play Uno and making new friends. included. friendly version where children and young people
government in Scotland. can scrutinise at the highest level.
In partnership with Children in Scotland, YouthLink This project is part of our ongoing drive to increase
Scotland put forward a proposal to put eight to the voices of children and young people at all levels
26 year olds at the heart of policymaking and the of society. We want as many schools, children and
decisions that impact on them, and provide a real youth organisations to get involved in the debate,
opportunity to hold adult decision-makers, including whether it’s direct involvement in the event itself or
the First Minister, to account. discussing and debating the issues that matter in
their own local settings.
We worked with a group of ten children and young
people aged nine to 16 to co-design a bi-annual We have created a resource for teachers, youth
FMQT Next Generation event. workers and practitioners working with children and
young people to support continued engagement with
They have been involved in decision-making at
FMQT Next Generation.
all stages of the project, from the venue to project
visuals, through to selecting the questions that were This resource can be used in conjunction with
put to the First Minister. Getting Ready for FMQT Next Generation to identify
young people’s priorities and issues they care about.
Adults have many avenues through which to hold
the government to account – voting, speaking to FMQT Next Generation is designed to be inclusive,
local politicians and protesting, to name a few. This child-friendly, and to provide a real challenge
is often not the case for children and young people, to government. We want it to become part of
especially those too young to vote or those who find the landscape of children and young people’s
it difficult to have their voice heard. This is where participation in Scotland, whichever party is in
youth work steps up. government, whoever is in the role of First Minister.
At the heart of youth work is young people’s For more information on how to get involved or to
participation. It runs through our Youth Work download the resource: www.youthlinkscotland.
Outcomes, is a key ambition of the National Youth org/programmes/fmqt-next-generation/
16 17
FMQT Next Generation was recorded in Glasgow on
First Minister challenged Wednesday 12 September. It was broadcast on STV’s
flagship current affairs programme, Scotland Tonight, and
by young people on
co-hosted by Chelsea Cameron, Young Scot of the Year
2017.
Design team member Katie, aged 15 from West Lothian,
access to mental health who was involved in designing FMQT Next Generation
said: “As a care experienced young person, I know that
support
some work has begun to help bridge the gap but I felt
more could be done to give us the same opportunities
in the future as our peers, so I wanted to be given the
chance to advocate for others like myself.”
In September, as part of Year of Young People The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “The FMQT event
has demonstrated how we can empower children
100 children and young people came together to and young people to have their say on the issues that
ask the First Minister questions on issues that matter, and how as a government we can learn from
them.”
matter to them. Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland,
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was questioned make sure there’s quick access to counselling said: “We’ll be ensuring that the issues raised by the
by young people from across Scotland about or peer-to-peer support. If we get that right, then young people in FMQT Next Generation are pursued so
her government’s commitments on access for hopefully fewer young people have to go into that this opportunity to shape policy and contribute to
young people to mental health services, a second specialist care.” national discourse is real and consequential.”
referendum on Brexit, and improving support for
She was also asked for her views on the new recipe Tim Frew, new CEO of YouthLink Scotland, the national
care-experienced young people.
for Irn Bru, telling the audience, “you can’t taste the agency for youth work, said: “The project gives children
Mental health was one of the big issues at the difference”. and young people a powerful platform to share their
event. One young woman questioned the SNP
Government’s commitment to adequate support Asked about which celebrity reality TV programme experience, push for change, and lay down challenges GET INVOLVED
she’d most like to appear in, the First Minister said in a way that adults would never think of.”
available in schools, saying she was disappointed by Look out for FMQT Next Generation in early
their record. Responding, the First Minister reiterated she’d be keen to appear on Dancing on Ice, and
Bobby Hain, MD of broadcast, STV, said: “I am delighted 2019!
one of the pledges made in the Programme for joked that maybe she could do this while retaining
that we were able to broadcast FMQT Next Generation
her duties as head of the Scottish Government. If you want to get involved then keep an eye
Government. on Scotland Tonight, and also make it available on the
on our website and social media channels for
“Last week we announced plans that are going She also told the audience that she was open to STV Player, providing a platform for Scotland’s children information about how you can get stuck into
to increase counsellors across schools – 350 views on including life skills in the school curriculum and young people to put their questions to the First the debate.
counsellors working across schools, so that and open to listening to how care experienced young Minister and voice their thoughts and concerns about
Schools and youth organisations throughout the
all secondary schools will have access to people could be better supported in education. the issues that really matter to them.”
country can catch up on the whole programme
counselling services.
The First Minister also revealed her fear of dogs, how Year of Young People (YOYP) 2018, a Scottish or download short clips of the individual
“We have plans to introduce a mental wellbeing she was bullied at school, and that the person she Government initiative, aims to put eight to 26 year olds at questions from www.youthlinkscotland.org/
service for people aged age five through to 24 to would walk 500 miles for is her husband, Peter. the heart of policymaking and the decisions that impact on programmes/fmqt-next-generation/
them.
18 t: @YouthLinkScot @cisweb | f: @YouthLinkScotland @childreninscotland | i: @youthlinkscot @childreninscotland 19Meet the Design
Team behind
FMQT Next
Generation
Evelyn
Age 9, Fife
“I wanted to help children speak
out and know they have the right
Taking the helm
Year of Young People has been a catalyst for the growth
to be heard and listened to. What
These are the children and young people who
have been co-designing the project and the
I want to achieve in this project
is more confidence and the
in youth participation work across Scotland, with many
behind the scenes decision-makers, choosing
knowledge that children will be
heard.”
youth organisations building on their existing work
everything from what questions the First Minister
in this area. Helm Training, based in Dundee are one
will be asked (questions were sent in from
children and young people across Scotland) to Josh of the latest organisations to put the views of young
the venue the event will take place in. Age 13, Fife
people at the heart of the decisions they take. Chief
“I wanted to make sure that
So why are they so passionate about being part not just my voice, but my Executive, Helen Sykes, talks to us about why
of the Design Team? generation’s voice, was not just
being heard but being listened meaningful participation in the design of their services
to and taken into consideration.
Eloise As the decisions being made will is key to the future.
Age 11, Dumfries not affect the decision makers in
“To know what is going on in
the long run, they will affect us.” Helm are a specialist training provider We will be recruiting a new team together, and give these a national
our country and to take part in Dundee enabling 200 young at Helm comprised of four young life and voice, enabling Scotland’s
making sure others my age, people a year to choose and move people, and a parent/carer with professionals, policy makers and
older and younger know too.” Zander forward with their transition into lived experience, with two seconded service leaders to understand
Age 10, Dumfries adult life. Young people at Helm are members of the existing Helm team what needs to change, as well as
“Because I am worried about all aged over 15 and have chosen in training and support roles. influencing wider public opinion.
all the big decisions that are to engage with Helm in full-time
Ivana being made without asking kids
alternative education and transition
They will all be paid employees of The team will all receive accredited
Age 15, Glasgow what they will want in the future. I Helm and will form the “Helm Social training, and will be fully accountable
want to improve my confidence programmes.
“Because I thought it was really Change Team”. They will, hopefully, to our board for designing and
by working with other people
interesting that children were Young people identify their own coin a snappier name for themselves, implementing their programme,
who are older than me and
being asked to do it, not adults. I learn what happens behind the direction, working in partnership and then will design their own placing this team of young people
want to represent other children scenes at these sort of events.” with our experienced team. They programme of work. firmly in the lead for this exciting new
in Scotland and to make sure
have fun trying out lots of engaging strand of Helm’s work.
that our views and opinions are All work will be intended to bring the
heard too!” activities, work to gain skills and
Katie experiences of similar young people
accredited qualifications, learn about
Age 15, West Lothian the workplace through experience in
Divine “By being part of this project our social enterprises, and move on
Age 12, Dumfries
“To get involved in events for
along with advocating for care
experienced young people, I
to college or training places, jobs and
apprenticeships of their choice. What Helm students say about the work
of the new social change team
want to help make a change
children to get involved in.”
in the lives of young people in We know as a nation that we still
Scotland. By doing this I hope have a significant attainment gap,
to leave a legacy of a better which wastes lives, contributes to
Scotland for young people in the
lasting social inequalities, and costs “It’s time people listened to us. Other people don’t
future.”
Scotland’s public purse a great deal know what it’s like to be us.”
Rosie of money.
Age 13, Glasgow Aidan There is an increasing amount of “I want to make a difference for other young
“I wanted my voice to be heard. Age 11, Scottish Borders
I want to achieve the ability to
work being done to close the gap, but people like me, like people have done for me.”
speak out against the things I Why did you want to be on the we think one of the keys to real and
want to change.” Design Team? “I like helping sustainable change is to start to listen
people and I love working in
meaningfully to young people and “People don’t know what it’s like from our point of
a group. I would like to help
kids around the world and in parents with lived experience. view. They need to listen to us.”
Scotland.”
Finlay And Scotland’s young people have a
Age 15, Aberdeenshire right to be heard. “I love it here. It’s like a big family. I want to come
“I’d like young people to achieve Earlier this year the Design Team met the First We have decided as an organisation back and work here when I’m older.”
a greater understanding of Minister to discuss their plans for the event, take to develop a new team which will be
Scotland’s politics and how
the country works but I’d also a look at their videos: http://bit.ly/YLSYouTube made up of young people who have “When can we apply?”
like young people to be more lived experience and who want to use
confident when it comes to Get involved: their voices to make a difference.
speaking out about change.” www.youthlinkscotland.org
20 t: @YouthLinkScot @cisweb | f: @YouthLinkScotland @childreninscotland | i: @youthlinkscot @childreninscotland e: enquiries@helmtraining.co.uk | t: @HelmDundee | w: www.helmtraining.co.uk | f: www.facebook.com/helmtraining | i: @helmdundee 21It takes courage
As we all celebrate, Scotland’s Year of Every child has the right to be heard After the Gathering, the Chief Executive
Young People (YOYP) we would like to and represented, and it was with this of Stirling Council identified the
share our story from Stirling. It begins in mind that we co-designed the 2017 creativity and courage the young people
with the current MSYP’s manifesto that Stirling Youth Gathering. demonstrated during the planning and
highlighted that Stirling did not have running of the event.
The Gathering was
to change
a Youth Forum. So a group of young He came to our youth
people from various places and spaces
planned over quite a “I feel like I have a value, like forum to discuss how
few sessions with all
across Stirling met for the first time
in August 2017. And they came from
young people involved when the group listen to your to get young people
at the heart of the
in the group helping to
all airts and pairts of the community,
shape the event. We ideas and take the ideas on.” decision-making
some had heard about the new forum process. From this we
decided to focus on
through school, others from their local developed the Our Place Our Space
four key themes: transport, education,
youth worker or from volunteering project (OPOS), which we will now
mental health and re-imagining
opportunities. explain to you.
Right in the heart of Wallace country, young people have been rising The first meeting was exciting because
Stirling’s city centre. These four themes
would go on to influence our work in Our Place Our Space
it was a first for us all. There was a the Youth Forum and would help us
up and using their voice. Their mission, to put young people at the clear sense that everyone was really
enthusiastic to develop opportunities,
create a new project Our Place Our
Space, more about that to come…
The focus of the programme is all
about working together. It helps young
heart of decisions in their community. Stirling Youth Forum talk to to make sure our voices, and other
young people’s, were
After much planning, some great ideas
people explore challenges and develop
solutions across the four themes of
and a few challenges Education, Transport, Mental Health
us about their campaign and where they are on their journey. not only heard, but led to
change and influenced “It’s let me see that I to overcome, the day
of the Gathering was
and Stirling City Centre Development.
decisions. The young
people who attended
can be part of a process here. 179 young people
What makes the project unique, is that
Stirling Council have been working with
from across the Stirling
recognised that their that’s making change.” area descended on the
Stirling Youth Forum, involving them in
experiences, as varied all stages of the programme from the
Tolbooth and Albert
as they all were, could get go. We have been really excited
Halls. The event was a runaway
not be the sole representation of young about this and very impressed by the
success, both in providing a new, high-
people’s views in Stirling. These factors courage of Stirling Council in taking
profile platform for youth engagement
and experiences influence the ultimate this forward. We all want to make
and making sure that young people on
vision of the youth forum: to be not our community one that works for all
the day were asked their views on the
owned by one, but shared by all. people, and young people need to have
issues they care about.
a say in what happens.
22 23Partners include SQA, Transco, First developing the event so it continues
“I would recommend co- Group, NHS, See Me and ScotRail, to explore the challenges that young
and locally based organisations, people identified during the last year.
design. It’s a great opportunity Loch Lomond and Trossachs, Active So for example, Dyslexia Scotland are
Stirling, Barnardos Scotland, Action in
for any young person to help Mind, Forth Valley College and Stirling
hosting a workshop, this was an area
young people said they need more
shape and make a positive University. information to improve opportunities.
As part of looking at the four themes,
impact on Stirling.” we attended TedX Youth Glasgow
We have also taken the opportunity
to create a shadow programme for
and hosted an interactive workshop teaching staff. We are hoping to
The OPOS programme began in to capture the experiences of young use the ‘How Good is Our School’
earnest with a series of workshops people from across Scotland. document and then present the forum’s
in March 2018 addressing the four
In June, we had a meeting with the suggestions of a structure for improving
key themes taken forward from
larger teams of young people working youth participation and democracy.
the Gathering. Stirling Youth Forum
within the themed areas. At the end So we are still on our travels, our
participants took to the road to engage
of the session we had prioritised the campaign to make sure our voice as
with more young people with the
challenges and identified what we young people is
intention of raising awareness of youth would be working on.
participation in Stirling. The aim was to heard and acted on
The power of
link more young people into the OPOS And our journey continues. At the continues, and so
programme. From January to March moment following the success of last far we are proud
year, the co-design for the Gathering of what we have
2018 there were 20 separate input
2018 is now underway, we are achieved.
sessions held across Stirling. These
sessions involved five high schools and
grassroots action
youth organisations. “I came to Stirling, being a peedie islander, coming to this group was a
We then hosted an event at Codebase
Stirling in March. We welcomed over 80
good way to become part of the community, I feel that it gives a genuine
local young people to sit with partners, opportunity to be heard and make change happen within the area.”
identified within each theme.
Last year Edinburgh City Council plan for the year. They developed Macie, one of the NE Youth
introduced significant changes to the two projects, the North East Youth Ambassadors loves being involved:
way local services are delivered and Awards 2018 and a Young Peoples’
“It has encouraged me to be more
developed, with a focus on involving Consultation, looking at local services.
involved in my community and I feel
communities. At that point there was no And despite being incredibly wordy more confident. We get treated like
existing mechanism for young peoples’ and complex, (Council take note adults, and get to make the decisions
voices to be heard and acted upon in for the future!), the Ambassadors for the group. I have been able to speak
North East (NE) Edinburgh. Enter the patiently worked through the Locality about issues that are really important
NE Edinburgh Youth Ambassadors. Improvement Plans. They then hosted to me, like LGBT rights, mental health
The Ambassador project was set up a meeting with key decision makers, support in schools and bullying. Having
by Citadel Youth Centre to increase and presented their responses to the these listened to by adults has made me
young people’s involvement in their proposals on three key areas: feel like they do care and want to help.
communities: We’re no different to adults; it’s about
- Safe Zones in their schools
time we were taken seriously.”
• To create a group of young people,
- Clean and safe parks
ages 13+, to act as community Change happens best when it
ambassadors, to engage with their - More employment support for under comes from the grassroots. This is
peers across the North East of 16s. an innovative way of working, one
Edinburgh that sees young people as assets
The Ambassadors were encouraged
and not as a hindrance. By enabling
• To create opportunities for young when the Council worked on identified
young people to be active agents in
people to come together, no matter parks, put more posters up and had
the change process we will develop a
their race, faith, sexual orientation, regular checks for dangerous materials
community that best serves their needs.
gender or abilities in play areas, as well as designing a
more “teen friendly” park in Leith. The
• To help break down barriers and Council’s response has created trust,
create closer ties between youth and and will build on this initial project, with
their communities in the North East the Ambassadors co-leading a locality-
of Edinburgh wide peer consultation; the results of
The group’s initial work was to bond, which will inform the next few years of
service delivery.
build relationships and develop a
24 e: milnef@stirling.gov.uk | t: @stirling_youth e: Kirsten@citadelyouthcentre.org.uk | w: www.citadelyouthcentre.org.uk | t: @Nee_youth | f: CitadelYCLeith | i: CitadelYCLeith 25Turning friends and
followers into influencers
For many young people, their digital lives are really just their lives. Using digital tools
is a fundamental part of living, there is no separation between online and offline worlds.
Young Scot has helped thousands of young people to have a voice in issues that are
important to them through digital participation. With success though comes challenge,
as Gavin Crosby, Local Partnership Development Manager explains.
Youth work and engagement has Of course, there are challenges in
always had effective participation at digital participation and engagement,
its core, and increasingly there are for example, the subtleties of a face-
innovative ways to extend this to the to-face discussion can be lost on a
digital and technology landscape. digital platform that may only allow
Whilst face-to-face activities continue
to be fundamentally important
simple choice answers. However
digital engagement platforms are
developing at pace and are increasing
Our multi-platform approach to digital
engagement extends across the use
of all major social media platforms,
Digital Participation and
to engagement, it can often be
challenging to engage new faces and
can sometimes result in ‘preaching to
in capacity to cater for a range of
opinions and dialogue.
our rewards platform and our digital
voting tools. Our online digital voting
platform is used extensively for the
our Mental Health Toolkit
the converted’. By supporting digital Young Scot has been supporting Scottish Youth Parliament elections Online participation can produce some powerful
participation, there is enhanced digital information, opportunities and and for Participatory Budgeting (PB)
potential to reach a wider audience, engagement for many years, with the votes across Scotland. In the last year
results, and this is certainly the case in North Ayrshire.
ensuring that all young people, Young.scot digital platform reaching
through personal, school or library over two million page views a year.
12,000 young people have cast their After personally struggling with her mental health, and
PB votes using the system and at the
online access, have the potential to
last SYP elections there were over finding it difficult to get the support she needed, Courtney Gemmell wanted to
contribute.
45,000 votes cast online.
help other young people in her local area. Taking action, she used a variety of
Young Scot also use our co-design
methodology and practice to work online participation tools to create solutions in her community, including the
with local partners and national Young Scot online voting system to great impact.
stakeholders to provide young people
with the opportunity to influence During my time as an MSYP But we needed funding. In North
service and policy design. The results for Cunninghame South, North Ayrshire they have a Participatory
of our recent wide-ranging co- Ayrshire I was very passionate about Budgeting (PB) project, where you
design and insight gathering work challenging the stigma around could bid for up to £1,000 per locality.
around access to sanitary products mental health. As a young person The PB online process allowed young
influenced policy decisions, resulting who was personally affected by people from all around North Ayrshire
in free sanitary products in Scotland negative mental health I felt it was to vote. Record numbers of young
in schools, colleges, universities and so important to consult with young people voted, and we secured £6,000
some community buildings, amongst people to get their views and find out to fund the project.
others. what we could do to help.
The toolkit, written with young people,
Young Scot is excited about the I consulted with young people through has invaluable information on how
potential of online participation youth councils and through an online to look out for the signs of someone
and engagement for young people. consultation to find out people’s views struggling, where to get help and
We work continually to ensure that on mental health. a range of interactive standalone
we have responsive and flexible One recommendation was to have a workshops. The resource has been
solutions for young people to play resource for professionals and young issued to all schools, partners and
an increasingly active role in shaping people tackling mental health issues professionals across North Ayrshire
their local communities. that young people face. and the feedback has been amazing.
26 w: www.youngscot.net | e: info@young.scot | t: @youngscot | i: /youngscot | f: www.facebook.com/youngscot 27are supported in their conversations The Care Inspectorate works closely
with children and young people and to with Glasgow Kelvin College to
provide written feedback to inspectors. support Young Inspection Volunteers
During these inspections, they also to undertake the Community
speak with professionals working in Achievement Award. This is offered
children’s services, including health, to young people on a voluntary basis
education, social work, housing and many are working towards their
services and police officers. The Young Level 6 qualification with the hope to
Inspection Volunteers look at services move onto Level 7 early next year.
through the lens of a young person
This is a flexible approach to
and often ask some difficult and
involvement that works really well for
challenging questions.
young people. The Care Inspectorate
To ensure our Young Inspection encourages them to be involved in
Volunteers are confident and skilled inspection around six days a year
in their role, they undertake five days but a lot choose to do more as their
of induction training, which includes: confidence and enthusiasm for the
boundaries, confidentiality, child role grows. Many are invited to speak
protection and communication. We at events and conferences and some
also organise further learning and have travelled internationally! Young
development throughout their time with people are supported to be involved
us. Training needs are identified by the at a pace and level that suits them
young people themselves and the Care and can take on more responsibility
Inspectorate’s Involvement Adviser. should they choose to as their
The young people have co-produced confidence grows.
a learning log - a place for them to
record and reflect on any training,
education or other opportunities during
their time as an inspection volunteer.
Experts by experience
Many use it to demonstrate their
involvement when they are moving on
to employment or further education.
Bronwyn Wyper
Care Inspectorate Young Inspection Volunteers are young people aged 18 to 26
with experience of care. Most volunteers have lived in foster care, residential
houses or with extended family in a formal kinship care arrangement. Some
have used aftercare support, disability services or experienced homelessness. – a snapshot from one Young Inspection Volunteer
Involvement Advisor, Gemma Watson, believes that looking through the lens of
other care experienced young people is vital to improving the care system. I have been a Young Inspection Volunteer for just over a year. I heard
about it from my housing support worker and decided to apply. I was
Our Young Inspection Volunteers
have a really important role within our
by experience. This can lead to
really supportive and empowering
those they are speaking to. They can
understand the things young people
interviewed and completed my training in July 2017.
organisation. They work alongside conversations with people experiencing care may be going
Care Inspectorate inspectors to make experiencing care, to understand through and can offer an empathetic The training covers everything we My favourite part of my role is the importance of what I do. I need to
sure that children and young people what life is like for them, good and ear. The volunteers write reports of need to know before going out on speaking directly to children and be well organised and plan ahead but
who are experiencing care are heard bad. Sometimes, people are more their findings and are involved in inspection. It gives us the opportunity young people and supporting them to I get the right support when I need it.
and understood by adults. They hold willing to speak about concerns to verbal feedback to inspectors. to get to know the staff who will be have a voice. I pass on my findings to
The other volunteers are a really
one-to-one meetings, focus groups an inspection volunteer than the supporting us and for them to get to the inspector I am working with and
During joint inspections of children’s great group and we all get on well.
and run activities to ensure children inspector themselves, so it is a know us. ensure the views of the children and
services within community planning We often travel in pairs and spending
and young people engage in the powerful way to ensure those views young people are included in the final
areas, Young Inspection Volunteers I have been involved in many time away from home together means
inspection in a way that suits them. are heard too. report.
work as part of a large inspection inspections in my first year and have we get to know each other and share
Each volunteer brings their own We know children and young people team. They have been involved as travelled to places I have never been My confidence has grown in the year I new experiences together.
personal experience of care, and so are more likely to share their honest an important part of this team for before. During joint inspections, we have been volunteering with the Care
can share a really unique perspective views with other young people. The more than five years and their role form part of the inspection team and Inspectorate and it has encouraged
of what it is like. They are experts volunteers have similar experiences to takes them all across Scotland. They stay away from home for a few nights me to be in more of a routine. I take
in the area we are inspecting. my role really seriously and recognise
28 e: getinvolved@careinspectorate.com | t: @careinspect | f: Care Inspectorate 29You can also read
