The National Youth Agency - Economic Wellbeing

Economic Wellbeing

Below you will find contributions from organisations under the ECM outcome Economic Wellbeing - not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life.

Organisations are listed below alphabetically. Those who have also adopted Hear by Right standards will be identified by the Hear by Right logo. Please follow the link to see all other shared learning which has been contributed.

All contributing organisations are listed alphabetically below:

Avon and Somerset - Youthwatch
Reducing the theft of mobile phones

Young people told their police liaison at school that they wanted to get involved in working with the police. In response Youthwatch was developed that would run along similar lines as neighbourhood watch within the school. Young people identified the theft of their mobile phones as being a big issue for them. Youthwatch were trained to mark mobile phones and other goods by the police. Youthwatch held lunch time sessions to mark pupils' phones and raise awareness. Incidents of mobile phone theft were reduced by 50% within the town and local feeder towns for the school. The young people received a Wavemakers Award in recognition of their achievements and initiative.

Belfast - St Colm's High School
Improving the school image

Young people wanted to improve the school image especially the unsightly run down greenhouse. They approached their principle with the idea of renovating the greenhouse in order to run a business growing plants as part of their business enterprise course. The young people's original idea has expanded to include the planting of a colourful flower bed, growing vegetables as part of home economics and clearing a picnic area for the school to eat lunch outside.

Darlington Borough Council
Somewhere to go, something to do/reducing anti-social behaviour

Some members of the community were concerned about young people just 'hanging about'. The council consulted with everyone and found that young people wanted a safe warm space to meet friends. In response the Westside initiative was started, held at the local comprehensive school, every Friday for young people. Over 200 young people regularly attend, anti-social behaviour in the area has been reduced and partnership working has increased.

Ealing Council - Corporate Parent Committee (CPC)
Improvements to a drop-in centre

A drop-in centre was established in 2000 in order to provide educational support for looked after and leaving care young people. Young people asked for improvements to this service, in particular they wanted computers, purpose built spaces and continued support. The centre has been expanded and developed, guided by young people and now forms the recently refurbished, award winning Horizon centre. It provides educational and training support and includes an educational psychologist, Connexions PA and teachers.

Edinburgh - Sighthill Library
Library renovation scheme/reducing anti-social behaviour

Following incidents of anti-social behaviour library staff decided to involve the young people who used to congregate outside with the renovation plans for the library. Young people said that they wanted comfy seats, a listening post and DVD's. In addition to the changes that have been made in terms of facilities, relationships between the young people and library staff have vastly improved, demonstrated by an increase in library usage of 12% over the year.

Essex County Council - Young Essex Assembly and UK Youth Parliament
Proof of age and identity when accessing services

Young people raised the issue of proof of age to access services such as reduced bus fares. Young people worked together with the council and local bus companies to discuss and debate the issues. As a result the Essex BITE card was introduced, a proof of age card which doubles as a library card. Young people can now take advantage of reduced bus fares and can gain access to age appropriate films.

Gloucestershire County Council - Members of Youth Parliament
Lack of information around employment rights for young people

Gloucestershire Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) discovered that there was a general lack of awareness amongst young people about their employment rights. They decided to produce an employment card outlining important employment rights and providing details where young people could obtain advice find out more information. The card has been endorsed by Gloucestershire County Council Human Resources and is circulated throughout the county and within the Southwest UKYP network.

Hampshire - Care Action Team (CAT), Passport To Success, Appropriate Accomodation
Appropriate accommodation for young people in or leaving care

The Care Action Team (CAT) is a group of young people in and leaving care who work alongside Hampshire County Council (HCC) to develop services for children & families. Together they have developed the 'passport to success', which addresses the responsibility of Hampshire County Council towards looked after young people as a corporate parent. One of the issues raised was the need for appropriate accommodation. As a result HCC has developed supported lodging schemes and foster placements are maintained till the age of 21 for those in further/ higher education. The young people received a Wavemakers award in recognition of their achievements.

Hampshire - Care Action Team, Passport to Success, Driving Lessons
Driving lessons for young people in or leaving care

The Care Action Team (CAT) is a group of young people in and leaving care who work alongside Hampshire County Council (HCC) to develop services for children & families. Together they have developed the 'passport to success' which addresses the responsibility of Hampshire County Council towards looked after young people as a corporate parent. One of the issues raised was the need for access to driving lessons. As a result a bursary scheme has been developed which covers the cost of 20 driving lessons, a theory test and a practical test. The young people received a Wavemakers award in recognition of their achievements.

Hampshire - Care Action Team (CAT), Passport to Success, Higher Education
Support for young people in or leaving care within higher education

The Care Action Team (CAT) is a group of young people in and leaving care who work alongside Hampshire County Council (HCC) to develop services for children & families. Together they have developed the 'passport to success' which addresses the responsibility of Hampshire County Council towards looked after young people as a corporate parent. One of the issues raised was the need for more support for young people in higher education. As a result HCC now encourages looked after children and care leavers to attend university by promoting the support available and working with universities to attend to the particular needs of looked after children and care leavers. The young people received a Wavemakers award in recognition of their achievements.

Isle of Wight Youth Council - Wight 2B Heard
Access on the Island, the cost of transport

Young people on the Isle of Wight had to pay adult fare on the buses at the age of 14. As a result travelling around the island to accessing services or facilities was often very expensive. Young people campaigned for many years about this issue and have successfully secured a flat rate bus/ train fee of 50p for young people in full time education or training. Young people are now able to travel to school and college for less and explore the island cheaply.

Leeds - Youth on Health
Improving the school environment

The YoH (Youth on Health) group said they would like to improve the environment within schools. Young people carried out research on environmental issues and came up with proposals to take back into the schools. Changes made include increases in school recycling, composting bins for the kitchens, litter pickers in schools and themed recycling bins in the playground.

Rugby Borough Council Housing Services - Young Tenants Forum
Complicated charters/tenancy agreement

The Young Tenants Forum was invited to comment on the multi-storey charter that was in operation for new tenants. Young people said that the document was hard to understand and was often received after tenancy had begun rather than prior to moving in. The council has now changed the document so that it is easier to understand with the help of the forum and it is given out with the offer of a flat so that young people are aware of the expected agreement in advance.

Rugby Borough Council Housing Services - Young Tenants Forum
Hard to access interview room

The Young Tenants Forum raised the issue of accessibility with the council in relation to the housing services interview rooms. Young people provided a practical demonstration of the issues using a pushchair and made recommendations for change. The council has now rearranged the furniture and fittings for greater ease of access for both pushchair and wheelchair users.

Sailsbury fishing project - Wiltshire Youth Service project
Access to legal fishing and equipment

Young people from the traveller community had been telling their detached workers on the local estate that that they were getting into trouble for fishing illegally. The Youth Opportunity Fund in Wiltshire (WYPOF) offered a way to legalise the activities that people were already engaged in. Young people applied for YOF funding to secure 10 licences, fishing and camping equipment.

Salisbury - Shine and Da Gypsy Crew
The need for educational support and access to information

Shine is a project that takes a renovated library bus to visit local Gypsy and Traveller sites. The facilities are generally used by young children. Young women from one site requested support separate from the younger children and said that they needed access to the internet. The young women were supported in making a successful YOF bid, and were awarded money to purchase laptops with wireless internet connections and a printer. Online access means that anything that the young women wish to research is now possible, including career guidance and driving test theory support.

Sheffield - Norfolk Park Greenspaces Project, Sheffield Wildlife Trust
Contributing to local regeneration

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund young people were invited to take part in a project that was to compliment the regeneration that was occurring within the Norfolk Park estate. Young people researched the concept of 'change' with local residents in order to use these ideas as the basis for a mural that was designed with input from local artists. The council installed new lighting within a local subway where young people situated their artwork. The subway is now a safer and more pleasant route for people to use within the local community.

Sunderland - The Box Youth Project
A lack of youth service provision

Five years ago there was no youth provision for Sunderland south. Local young people attended a public meeting and formed a youth forum with the aim of developing a local youth centre. Young people were supported by detached youth workers, but the project was led by the young people right from the start. Recently a disused community building was renovated by the young people with the funding of a 'Here to Help' award. The young people opened their Box Youth Project in November 2006. This provides a place for young people to meet friends but also get help and guidance if they need it. The Box Youth Project now holds the main contract for Sunderland south youth provision and has also gained local extended schools contracts.

Western-super-Mare Town Council - Barcode Youth Cafe
Somewhere to go - Youth Cafe

Young people said that they wanted somewhere safe to meet in the evenings. The youth council proposed a youth café which was agreed by the town council. The café called Barcode was opened in October 2005. Barcode has been a great success and regularly hosts music nights and a range of entertainment for young people in the local area.

Wigan Youth Service - Mesnes Park Youth in Action
Facilities and safety in the local park

Young people who used Mesnes Park complained to detached youth workers that the park was unsafe and had few facilities for them. The detached team challenged young people to do something about this; in response young people formed a youth action group. The action group raised the issue with the council and worked to gain the opinions and support of other young people. As a result the regeneration of the park has become a prominent community issue. Temporary lighting and a skate ramp has been put in place for the short term, and the action group is involved in the planning for the longer term regeneration. The experience of the youth action group has reinvigorated the youth council. The process has highlighted the importance of young people's participation and the council and other organisations are increasingly seeking to involve the young people in their work.