Use Your Voice 2008
The day opened really enthusiastically. Most of the young people had found out each others names and where they were from, while waiting for everyone to arrive.
The event was officially opened by one of the young people running a workshop, which was a nice touch. All in all it was a very positive start to a very positive day.
There were various workshops that ranged from learning about Contact Point to expressing views on what youth centres should include. These workshops were active and effective. They gave young people an opportunity to express their views and ask questions about services for young people. We learnt about such issues as parenting, risk taking and aspiration and reaching your goals.
The event was also the first opportunity to try out our transport questionnaire, which went down really well.
At lunch time the hula hoop women came in and showed us how to hula hoop!
We had a paper bag with lunch in.
At the end of the day we did an evaluation and said what things we enjoyed and what we learned.
We also got a goody bag with cool things in it.
The whole day proved to be a fantastic opportunity for us all to give our views and we need more like it.
Fliss said:
"My experiences of Use Your Voice were very positive and enjoyable. I was involved in running a transport consultation, so I was able to work with all kinds of people my own age. I enjoyed working with them; everyone had such good ideas and lots of energy and enthusiasm. I feel my confidence has improved and that I can communicate with people much more freely. I really enjoyed the day and would love to be involved in a similar project again."
Thanks for coming to USE YOUR VOICE and giving your ideas. The information you gave will be used to help make the best decisions for young people in South Glos.
See you next time!
Jade, Tara, Francis and Martyn.
Workshops
Young people took part in the following workshops:
Regional Transport Plan
One of the workshops was part of a consultation to find out how young people want to see a concessionary transport scheme for South Gloucestershire implemented
Contact Point
The Contact Point workshop was a huge success. Thirty five young people and five staff now know about Contact Point. Young people appeared to be aware of agencies available to help them with issues in their lives
The Children and Young People's Plan
Young people participating in the workshop were given a short introduction about what the plan is and its importance in ensuring that everyone working with children and young people are working to the same goals.
The Future Youth Service Strategy
The workshop exploring young people's views on the Future Youth Service Strategy was an opportunity for a wide variety of young people to express their opinions about what is important to them in their youth projects and centres.
USE YOUR VOICE 2008
The second USE YOUR VOICE event took place in Winterbourne during the November half term for young people in South Gloucestershire. Over 40 young people attended the day giving their views and ideas in a range of workshops. Young people were invited from Schools (including Special schools and PRUs), Youth Fora, Youth Centres, Connexions, Children’s Social Services, CAMHs and UK Youth Parliament.
The workshops included:
Regional Transport Plan
One of the workshops was part of a consultation to find out how young people want to see a concessionary transport scheme for South Gloucestershire implemented. Fun activities were used to find young peoples attitudes to using public transport now and what developments that they would like to see in the future. All the young people completed questionnaires at the end of the session. These questionnaires are also being distributed throughout South Glos including to schools and youth centres.
Contact Point
The Contact Point workshop was a huge success. Thirty five young people and five staff now know about Contact Point. Young people appeared to be aware of agencies available to help them with issues in their lives. Through an activity in which young people drew round a body, young people learned how vital it is that all agencies communicate with each other in order to recognise all individual needs.
There are eight young people interested in forming a group to produce an information resource for South Gloucestershire. Many ideas about resources were considered and one idea for a leaflet was really good. The group will now work on ideas to improve the existing resources. Young people from the KIDs Project will also be part of this group to ensure that resources are accessible for all.
The Children and Young People’s Plan
Young people participating in the workshop were given a short introduction about what the plan is and its importance in ensuring that everyone working with children and young people are working to the same goals.
The workshop firstly focused on gaining young peoples ideas on solutions to risk-taking behaviour. Other activities included thinking about how raising aspiration, so that all children and young people achieve a good quality of life and reach their goals. The results of the workshop will be fed into the Children and Young People’s Plan currently out for consultation.
The Future Youth Service Strategy
The workshop exploring young people's views on the Future Youth Service Strategy was an opportunity for a wide variety of young people to express their opinions about what is important to them in their youth projects and centres. In particular, it focused on how the young people's vision of the proposed "centres of excellence" for young people could be developed The interactive nature of this workshop ensured that young people with varying levels of ability were able to take part and have their views recorded and feel valued.
The departments/projects that take part in such events contribute to the personal, social and political development of young people. It is crucial that young people in the county see themselves as valued individuals in their own right and as experts in their own lives.
This inclusive way of working is supported by the United Nation Rights of the Child Article 12 which states that governments:
‘shall take the views of children into account when devising policy that affects them. All adults should be encouraged to listen and act on the views of children and young people.’
During the lunch break young people and staff either took part in a hula hoop workshop or a poster competition. At the end of the day all young people received a Youthunltd canvass bag, filled with: a fair trade chocolate bar, a key ring, contact details for future events/projects and a small gift to thank them for their contribution.
Fliss a young person who co-facilitated a workshops wrote: “My experiences of Use Your Voice were very positive and enjoyable. I was involved in running a transport consultation workshop, so I was able to work with all kinds of people my own age. I enjoyed working with them; everyone had such good ideas and lots of energy and enthusiasm. I feel my confidence has improved and that I can communicate with people much more freely. I really enjoyed the day and would love to be involved in a similar project again.”
Use Your Voice also gave young people the opportunity to find out about ‘Participation Opportunities’ in South Gloucestershire and their Areas e.g. Youth Forums, UKYP, Big Stash and other groups they might wish to join.
All those attending the workshops will receive young people friendly feedback from the day, which will include information on how their ideas will be listened to, a certificate and a collage of photos to celebrate their participation. A group of young people are currently involved in ensuring that this feedback is user friendly.
Chris Cashley (Children’s Fund) on behalf of the Participation Team
