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Derwentside’s story

Vulnerable Young People and Involvement in Public Services

Disability and ethnicity were at the heart of Derwentside’s and its beacon partners, Sedgefield and Stockton Borough Councils’ volunteering project as they delivered their project PSA target areas in the North East of England.

Looking first at the needs of disabled and BME young people, and then at the barriers to engaging them in voluntary opportunities, they found that many of the answers lay in the perception of others rather than real issues faced by the young people themselves.

Although involvement in public services can present challenges for disabled young people and those who do not have English as their first language, the Beacons worked hard to change these perceptions with decision makers and to create local volunteering opportunities such as car-washing and supermarket bag packing.

As a result, the project has enabled young people to participate in both training and education; the Open College Network has developed and adapted a course in volunteering to meet the individual needs of its disabled and BME students who can now gain a Level 1 qualification by taking advantage of these volunteering placements.

To see what these experiences were like first hand, view their short film - Every Voice Matters – Supporting Children and Young People to Get Involved:

Full versions of the DVD 'Every Voice Matters – Supporting Children and Young People to Get Involved' is avaliable on request from The National Youth Agency.

What they learned

Time

  • 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.

Communication

  • 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

Perception

  • The perceptions of others about disability meant that people were over-protective of those with disabilities and that they often tried to exclude them on those grounds

Outcomes

  • Derwentside adapted and organised an OCN volunteering training course (at levels 1 and 2) for differently abled young people and those who do not have English as a first language.
  • To enable young people to become engaged in this training, they highlight the need for skilled workers to build confidence and to keep the young people engaged and recommend the use of appropriate participation tools/techniques.

Derwentside have subsequently become part of Durham Unitary Authority in the North East. Find out about the authority's ongoing good practice at www.durham.gov.uk