City 2000 Structure of Participation and Young People’s Experiences

Background A residential, involving young people and workers from Salford Youth Service was undertaken in November Purpose – “To bring young people together from across the City and check the feasibility of forming a ‘Youth Issues Group’ To engage participants in a programme of decision making, reflection, discussion and artistic creativity”.

Developments The group continued meeting. Young people changed, moved on. Gained further backing of the Council and Councillors. Government and Local Agendas changed re: Participation: Transforming Youth Work (REYS), Every Child Matters, Youth Matters, Neighbourhood Management

Issues Difficulty in joining up participation and representation. Difficulty in recruiting. Tokenism. Difficulties with regard to ‘Youth Issues’ versus consultation. Difficulties in receiving feedback from other organisations.

Present Limited numbers of young people. Young people tired and worn out. Resulted in a re-structure of Participation and City 2000.

Structure Acknowledges different levels of participation based on needs, skills and interest. Young people’s achievements recognised through accreditation. Can influence Service delivery and Service developments. Based on the need for participation at centre/ area/ citywide regional and national levels. Enables geographical representation alongside representation from communities of interest. Young people can be representatives for other young people and not just representative of young people of Salford.

Structure Casual – young person who isn’t known to the worker but may know of them or the service. Contact- young person whom the worker knows and has limited information of. Participant – Someone who is actively taking part in a programme of work. Local Forum – centre/ or project committee. City Youth Service City Wide Forum links to Children’s Partnership Board and others. Area Forum – Linked to Neighbourhood Management Structures/ centre forums and City 2000.

Young People’s Experiences of City 2000 Being involved in: The Children and Young Peoples Partnership Board The Connexions Partnership Board Regional consultation on ‘Youth Matters’ Town Twinning Socials National Youth Work Week Events (Lowry and Buile Hill) Residentials

How young people have benefited from being involved. Not being treated differently due to disability. Being treated as an equal and able to express my opinions. Being able to represent other young people from across Salford. It has lead to job opportunities within the youth service. And a understanding of issues facing young people across Salford and how we can have an input into how to change them.

How young people have benefited from being involved. Becoming more recognised both as a group and individually. Accreditation for the work we have done and achieved. Helped with interview for army because it is a positive contribution to the community by helping young people. Becoming more mature. Can now challenge peer pressure. Kept me out of trouble. Meet new people, made new friends and had fun along the way.

Meetings by Kelly and Carl. Boring meetings help us !