The Future for Douzelage Member Towns Sherborne Douzelage Youth Study Visit 16 – 18 October 2008

Focus 28 delegates from 14 European countries To explore youth work policies and practice in the Douzelage member towns UK policy and local models in Sherborne presented as basis for comparison Delegates explored the varying approaches to ~ Youth provision & funding support ~ Healthy Lifestyles ~ Retention of Young People in our Towns ~ Youth Justice ~ Young Peoples’ Voices

Initial findings Visit highlighted the difference in provision across towns – in the facilities, services and guidance available and the financial support provided Recognised the importance of building local partnerships Wide acceptance that the approaches in Sherborne, Dorset and the UK were examples of good practice Much of this could be replicated across Douzelage towns This would ensure a consistent level of provision for our young people

Key factors Need to invest in and empower young people to take control of their futures Give them scope to influence organisations designed to meet their needs Involvement ensures that outcomes are effective and sustainable

Outcome “The visit sparked both enthusiasm and a determination to work together to support the development of … structures and activities across our Douzelage towns.” Excerpt from Final Report of Study Visit [Natalie House, Sherborne Douzelage]

Challenges Differences in provision across towns Definition of a ‘young person’ varies Level of general and financial support by tiers of local government Limited funding options available Application processes very bureaucratic Majority of funding for capital purchases Insufficient money for revenue costs Poor transport links restrict access Policies reflect preferences & needs of older residents in towns

What works Improved partnership working between key agencies is essential for young people’s needs to be identified/addressed Local fundraising often provides more freedom to deliver services & activities Encouraging promotion of the positive things young people do – need to change perceptions School councils, mock elections & Youth Parliaments promote democratic involvement of young people

A first for Douzelage The Study Visit was the first of its kind for International Douzelage, providing an opportunity to engage new participants and tackle a specialist subject area that gained the support of the County Council Excerpt from Final Report of Study Visit [Natalie House, Sherborne Douzelage]

What delegates said We really enjoyed every minute of this meeting. Thank you very much Thank you for making this meeting possible. We will keep the great time we spent here in our minds! Thanks for a great time that I hope will lead to more So many thoughts and experiences, it is impossible to voice our gratitude to the Sherborne Douzelage staff. Thank you.

Special thanks to The President of International Douzelage, Ed Weber, for his support & encouragement All our colleagues in Dorset for their partnership and enthusiasm The British Council for having confidence in our project and agreeing Youth in Action funding

And especially … To the participants who travelled to Sherborne from all corners of Europe to join in an open, constructive and wide ranging exchange of ideas and debate

Our hope is “For future Study Visits to be held in other Douzelage towns to further share learning, promote best practice and lobby for improvements in those areas that contribute to the development of Douzelage towns and enhance the basic level of services and facilities available to young people throughout Europe.” Excerpt from Final Report of Study Visit [Natalie House, Sherborne Douzelage]