Planning in action – learning from the projects

Each project has shared its key lessons in terms of planning at both an organisational and operational level.

Planning your organisational approach

Derwentside

In developing their project, Derwentside found that the time needed to get buy-in from partners and to complete necessary committee and other processes should not be under-estimated.

Lancashire

With its partners, the council had already identified an ageing working population and the need to promote community cohesion, and focussed on this to gain credibility for the project. Working with ‘yes people’ and allowing adequate time to gain ‘buy-in’ from partners/departments where volunteering placements are sought was the key to kick-starting the programme.

Lewisham

Using operational managers and scoping exercises explored the need to engage young people in determining, planning, delivering and evaluating of their services. They could then plan how services could be involved and how to recruit young people. They worked closely with the voluntary sector to bring different young people to the table. The result was a ‘virtual team’ to oversee the project. Lewisham brought together service heads early on to consider collaboratively how young people were and could be involved in service planning, delivery and evaluation and made improvements to the process as a result.

Norfolk

The council began their project by mapping who was doing what in terms of youth volunteering in the Council and where they were doing it. The LGA badge on ‘Hear by Right’ facilitated progress within Norfolk County Council.

Wakefield

Understanding the limitations of its own capacity and skills, Wakefield’s Community Engagement Team worked with Youth Services to commission a specialist Arts Consultancy, HQ Arts, to develop and deliver their project.

West Sussex

The council agreed a common understanding of goals between partners and worked with ‘yes’ people. They ensured an awareness of equal opportunities and representation.

Wirral

Wirral’s project developed in line with corporate aims, objectives and policies. Their charter of participation was adopted from ‘Hear by Right’ and the Beacon Year provided the impetus, resources and impartiality to plan more effectively. Wirral underlines the need for buy-in from senior officer and elected members at an early stage.

Planning opportunities for young people

Derwentside

Capturing young people’s attention was the key to success in the Derwentside project but they advise against making promises you can’t keep! Good communications are recommended. Derwentside also recommend the use of regular focus groups with young people and partners.

Gateshead

Senior staff should be involved at the planning stage

Partners should share aims and targets. Don’t under-estimate travel costs; the project operated across a relatively wide and often rural geographical area, personal visits to a range of locations were required to recruit young people. Extra funding was raised to meet these costs.

Lewisham

The council asked young people to consider the benefits and drawbacks of participation and what a good young manager would need to be. The young people then elected young managers from amongst themselves. The Young Managers met quarterly with service heads to be kept up to date with their work and to say what they feel should be done to improve services.

Norfolk

It may seem like common sense, but can be overlooked – clear planning techniques and tools, such as the hot air balloon game, used when working with Young People are essential to get anything off the ground effectively,

Wakefield

Careful consideration of the needs of participants was a top priority, including considering what skills they might need to be involved in the planning activity, supporting them with training where it will enable fuller participation.

West Sussex

Letters were sent to young people from the Director of Children’s Services to underline the importance of the project to the Council’s decision makers. The use of drama, social networking, photography, film and music to plan and develop projects engaged young people

Wirral

The council provided training for elected members in contact with young people. Training and accreditation to allow young people to work more effectively was considered in the planning phase – it included running/chairing meetings and minute taking.

Read more about each council’s experiences in the story behind the practice >>