The story behind the practice

Behind every lesson or practical resource there is a story. Each authority, and those they were working with, has a story to tell.

Here is a taster of their experiences; dig beneath these summaries to find out the full story.

Derwentside – Vulnerable Young People and Involvement in Public Services

Disability and ethnicity can present challenges for involvement in public services, which led Derwentside and its beacon partners, Sedgefield and Stockton Borough Councils’ to develop a volunteering project for PSA target areas in the North East of England.

Read Derwentside’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>

Gateshead – Check it out!

Gateshead recruited young volunteers from looked after, ethnic and unemployed backgrounds to monitor a range of services including leisure, youth and community centres as part of a widespread review of local services. By rewarding the volunteers with accreditation, the project has since generated a network of trained young people who can support others in shaping improvement in local services.

Read Gateshead’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>

Lancashire – iCoach

Lancashire teamed up with neighbouring Pendle and Burnley to explore volunteering opportunities for young people in their communities. Targeting those who were most vulnerable, particularly those not in work, education or training , they pledged to develop the range and extent of these work placements, already the focus of their Every Child Matters agenda.

Read Lancashire’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>

Lewisham – Young Managers Board

Consultation was already live and kicking in Lewisham’s children and young people’s services when it put together its Young Managers Board. It began life as the Shaping Young Managers programme which had already built on the success of the work of the Young Commissioners whose grant making panel led to the creation of the Youth Opportunity Programme. With additional experience of the Young Mayors Project, Lewisham clearly had much to offer young volunteers in the community.

Read Lewisham’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>

Norfolk – The Young Scutineers

Norfolk’s volunteering programme focusing on scrutiny, trained young people to examine and report back on the services which most affect their lives, including school governance and children’s services.

Read Norfolk’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>

Wakefield – Creative Consultation

In a bid to involve harder to reach young people in volunteering opportunities, Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council and its partners, North Yorkshire County Council and North East Lincolnshire Council engaged young people in a series of art-based activities including drama, music and dance.

Read Wakefield’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>

West Sussex - Participation, Advocacy and Rights for Looked After Young People

Looked After Children are a key recipient of this local authority’s Children’s Services. This project worked specifically with Looked After Children, drawing on their experience to develop methodologies for engaging young people in the care system in service provision, and identifying barriers and strategies to overcome any issues.

Read West Sussex’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>

Wirral – Strategy and Governance

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council with its partners, Liverpool City Council and Knowsley Council has put its young people at the heart of strategic governance with the development of the Executive Youth Board. Targeting young people who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET), Looked After Children and young people with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities, it recruited from priority groups to deliver strategy and governance solutions to fit each the particular needs of each authority.

Read Wirral’s story and see first hand what those involved thought >>