Sunderland Voluntary Sector Youth Forum - Issued: February 2012
Looking back at 2011
2011 was an exciting year for SVSYF and especially ‘Youth work in a digital age’.
Following on from the North East first ever ‘Youth Work in a Digital Age’ conference, SVSYF and the working group have been to London to take part in the international Connected Generation conference. Check out Amanda’s guest blog here and here. We are busy developing a 'skills share' event for May/June to offer practical support for practitioners and hope to see you all there.
SVSYF and Community IT have delivered 8 local and 1 regional action learning sets to practitioners covering a host of topics including introduction to social media, broadcasting online, interactive presentations and fun with photos. Amanda has been asked to sit on an ‘expert panel’coordinated by Edinburgh University, where we will contribute to ideas of engaging with children and young people for research purposes.
In 2011
We’ve coordinated an important health message across the city, and have just been informed we’re the highest performing ‘youth sector’ in the region.
• We’ve written policy and guidelines that have been very well received at local, regional and national level.
• We’ve been sharing our expertise and delivering training to practitioners in Newcastle
• We’ve held 30 events and facilitated 22 training sessions across the city, that’s the equivalent of 1 per week!
• We’ve continued to work in partnership on a weekly basis with over 60 organisations and we are looking forward to continuing to do this in 2012.
In December Tracey left us to go on maternity leave and is now the proud Mum to Alfred James who at 16 days late was born on the 9th January weighing 8lb.
2012 will be a tough year for many of our members as the current economic climate means it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract funding and projects are having to deliver much more for less. Collaboration and partnership working is key to sustainability, Francesca is continuing to work with the 'All Together Consortium' who are working together to develop partnership bids for children and young peoples work. There continues to be a lot of fantastic work happening in all areas of the city and we will continue to support and promote this via SVSYF, so if you have a good news story feel free to send it to us.
Whatever this year has in store for us as a sector, the varied programme offered by youth providers will insure there is a whole host of activities that children and young people can participate in. Checkout the individual members pages for updated information.
Local/Member news
THIS IS YOUTH WORK: Stories from Practice The linked book and video have been produced by the In Defence of Youth Work [IDYW] campaign with very generous support from UNISON and UNITE/the Community and Youth Workers Union.
The Annual report from SNYP has been released! Find it here
Positive for Youth Statement
The statement brings together for the first time all of the Government’s policies for young people aged 13 to 19. It therefore covers a wide range of issues – from education and youth services, to health, crime, housing and more. Nine government departments have been involved in developing it – including the Department for Education, the Department of Health, the Home Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government. Young people and youth professionals have also been involved directly in developing the statement through extensive collaboration and consultation.
Building on the best local practice, Positive for Youth sets out a shared vision for how all parts of society can work together in partnership to support families and improve the lives of young people, particularly those who are most disadvantaged or vulnerable. It also includes a large number of case studies to exemplify the approaches it promotes.
A690 Youth Initiative case study
A690YI have a policy in place that was devised by staff and young people. Its on display at each site and they have developed a poster advertising who to contact if young people are worried about bullying at all. They have nominated two members of staff who will attend a Train the Trainer session in 2012 and cascade the training to all staff embers at A690YI.
As part of Anti Bullying week they made a DVD with young people for young people showing the effects of bullying and tips on how to confront the bullies – this will be added to their website They also had discussions at Sandhill View school about bullying, and their detached workers recorded conversations on evaluation sheets . They have also shared their policy with the Jubilee centre who did not have one. Jim Ferry is the responsible person for any bullying concerns They also have 2 young people Tanya Boyd and Wayne Ellis who are interested in doing training for young people to become assessors
They also have plans to write an app that young people can download onto their phones about bullying as soon as they find the funding to do this!
The ‘Genfactor’ is Gentoo’s very own talent competition for young people in the Sunderland area. The competition gives young per formers in the local community a chance to showcase their talents. If you are in full-time education (year group 6-11) and live in Sunderland this is your chance to shine. Entry forms are available from your school or from your local Gentoo office. Alternatively, application forms can be downloaded here
H.E.L.P (Helping, Educating and Lifeline Project)
Website group volunteers wanted a website that was easy to navigate with all info in one place. They traveled to London to meet people from time bank and Rotten Development to show off their website.
Free “Making Change Happen” Rap CD
The CD has 8 tracks, all written and performed by young people who have faced significant life challenges and used these experiences to create their distinct and creative style of music.
• The tracks highlight issues which impact on todays young people and include;
• Negative Images of Young People
• Peer Pressure
• Safety on the Streets
• Youth Homelessness.
The “Making Change Happen” CD is an awareness raising and influencing tool which is to be sent to all key decision-makers. However we also want to extend distribution to all youth agencies/organisations and if you are interested in obtaining a free copy then please send your contact details and postal address to Maureen.wales@barnardos.org.uk
Events and Training
Local Events and Training
VCAS are offering multiple Winter Training programmes. Find out more here
Why not check out YMCA Weardale House - Outdoor Education great new prices?
First Aid at Work Course- 3 day at a price of £110 per candidate – the course will be held at Sunderland YMCA on 2nd, 9th and 16th May and there have 3 spare places. Contact Leesa.Lee@sunderlandymca.co.uk
Find out more about Sunderland's Safeguarding children board's events with their calendar!
Certificate in Youth Work Practice
The Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice is designed to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to fulfil the role of Assistant Youth Support Worker. Accredited through ABC Awards this course will enable you to work with children and young people and is part of the qualification structure for youth work Training.
As usual, all of the courses are also available to be delivered in your own premises, and tailored to meet your own organisational needs.
Please feel free to contac Linda on 0191 414 6446 or a member of the admin team on if you have any queries or questions – they are more than happy to help.
YDG are delivering a Skills for Life Literacy Training programme in the New Year at the Award Centre. The Skills for Life programme is open to those who are 19 years old or over, and is an opportunity to acquire a Level 2 qualification in English It is equivalent to an GCSE in English and is a requirement if you want to go into teaching and many other professions these days. This course is also suitable for those who might have taken a GCSE or 'O' Level English a number of years ago and would like to brush up their skills. The course will be for 2 hours a week.
The Skills for Life has now been organised and will take place on Wednesday mornings from 10am -12 noon starting on February 8th February 2012 at the Award centre. There needs to be a maximum of 6 people for it to run. The course is free and will run for a maximum of 15 weeks, but will be tailored to suit your own individual requirements. You are required to attend a minimum of 5 sessions.
Friday 24th February 2012
12.15pm – 4pm
South Hylton Tansy Centre, Sunderland
This event will provide an opportunity for the sector to gain a better understanding about Social Impact Bonds. Hear from key expert speakers: Jim Robinson from the Cabinet Office
What they are for and how Government have developed them Matthew Roche from Big Lottery Fund
A funders perspective – where do they fit? Philip Angier from CapitaliSE
Where the North East is currently at in terms of SIB’s
Grief and Bereavement in Young people and children
Grief and loss affects us all and can be a difficult experience to come to terms with for ourselves or to know how to respond to in others. In supporting children and young people who have been bereaved adults can often feel at a loss at how to understand the reactions of children and young people and to know what to say or what to do for the best in supporting them through their grief.
Up to 75% of schools in the UK are dealing with a bereavement in a pupil at any one time. It is estimated that 1 in 25 children have experienced the bereavement of a parent or sibling - this equates to approx 1 child in every classroom.
This workshop aims to give you an understanding of loss and bereavement in the young and how best to support them through their grief. It will be a very interactive workshop giving you opportunities to explore any experiences of bereavement and any difficult issues that have arisen in your work in supporting children and young people.
Self Harm is an issue that is unfortunately quite common in young people and people who are vulnerable, have social issues and mental health diagnoses or who are just struggling with overwhelming emotions. This informative & participative workshop is to help you:
To develop the awareness and understanding of this often misunderstood issue.
To recognise that self-harm is usually a coping strategy which people may have developed as a way of expressing or relieving intense and overwhelming feelings and emotions.
To help carers and professionals working in a wide range of services, including health and mental health, education, youth work, drug & alcohol services, support services and counselling services, feel more confident in supporting those people who self-harm and where to get /refer to more specialised support.
These courses are also offered across the north of England, and Scotland. To find out more details, go to www.jilleastham.co.uk
National Events and Training
Are you a senior manager, practitioner or trustee from a children, young people and families VCSE organisation with responsibility for the strategic direction of your service? Are you interested in exploring the implications of the proposed health reforms and what they mean for the VCSE? Do you want to hear examples of how VCSE organisations can engage with Health & Well Being Boards and Clinical Commissioning Groups to help improve outcomes for children, young people and families?
Barclays money skills ‘champions’ From UK Youth, the National Youth Agency and four other youth and information charities.
This is an opportunity for young people to improve their understanding of money and become peer educators. Staff and volunteers attend a FREE two day training course to learn the skills to deliver the project to their young people. They then recruit and train ten young people aged 16-25 to become peer educators known as ‘champions’ who, once trained, deliver formal or informal money management sessions to their peers.
For each ‘champion’ trained the organisation receives £200 to reward the young person and to help with expenses.
Further details, an application form, and a calendar detailing the training planned for 2012, are all available on the website. email bmsc@ukyouth.org
Free Resources
Does your organisation need help with IT?Organisations from across the region can obtain free IT advice and support thanks to further funding from the Northern Rock Foundation. By providing practical help and consultancy advice, CITA’s popular "Circuit Rider" programme helps voluntary and community organisations to reduce their administrative costs and work more effectively. To find out more visit out more visit http://communityitacademy.org/circuitriding
Leveling the playing field Short report highlights Barnardo's work to support vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds into education, employment and training. It reveals the most disadvantaged unemployed 16 and 17 year olds are being ignored, with each young person costing public authorities an average of £56,000 over their lifetime.
We're pleased to be supporting the Home Office's 'This is Abuse' campaign which tackles relationship abuse in teenagers. To learn more or to order free materials to display to teenagers at your sites, please email Charlotte ( click here for an example of the poster)
Children England Subscription Free Membership Offer Children England is offering all organisations an opportunity to access their full membership package free of charge until April 2012!
Your organisation can benefit from a their highly acclaimed information services, Outlook Journal, up to 30% discount on Children & Young People Now Magazine, networking and training opportunities, member discount scheme and much more!
Children England is the leading membership organisation and collective voice for the children, young people and families’ voluntary sector in England. Our members range from some of the largest charities in the country through to small community groups, representing a sector network of over 100,000 like-minded people.
A toolkit and educational resource to teach young people about migration and development, contains activities and case studies of actions. Website.
How to Lobby Your MP
Select one of BYC's priority campaigns 2011 and find out how to lobby your MP to get you voice heard.
Click here to find out more about ASDANs new short courses - Islam and citizenship, football and road wise
Click here to view a guide on accreditation with ASDAN
"Young people deserve the opportunity to have their achievements and personal development recognised. Accreditation is a great way to add value to the projects and services we offer as well as boost the levels of confidence and personal success of every individual. Our members, clubs and projects use a range of awards and qualifications from ASDAN Education as part of our commitment to demonstrating the impact of non-formal education in the services we provide."
Helen Marshall, Chief Executive, Clubs for Young People
Football Foundation – new sustainability toolkit This foundation has launched this new sustainability toolkit to help organisations plan for the longer-term sustainability of a project or organisation. To find out more click here
British Youth Council campaigning resource centre Includes BYC Manifesto and briefings, Choose Youth materials and briefing, Lobbying guides, Rights Guides and Votes at 16. Website
The above link is to a website with lots of information on governance and management committees for community groups and small voluntary organisations
Find out Who's who in youth services by clicking here!
National News
"League tables for youth services could be introduced to help decide when government intervention is necessary," children's Minster Tim Loughton has said Read more here
Big Society's Big Mouth - Discuss the Problems You Face in Your Community
This is your chance to talk about what would help you to be more active in your community. Check it out
Youth Unemployment is over 1million. Is anyone listening to us? The British Youth Council calls for the Government to take the lead and stimulate more investment in jobs, opportunities and hope for young people. Read the story.
New UK Youth Parliament Campaign - 'Make Public Transport Cheaper, Better and More Accessible For All' Hear from Jamie Davis (pictured) Member of the UK Youth Parliament for East Sussex who led the transport debate. Read the article. You can also download the 'Public Transport: Cheaper, better and accessible' campaign pack here.
This newsletter is made up of contribution from our members, as well as Sunderland City Council, The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), Children England, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Regional Youth Work Unit, Children and Young People Now, Voluntary Organisations' Network North East (VONNE), Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland (VCAS), Directory of Social Change, Active Sunderland, Young People in Focus, Funding Central, Third Sector and UK Youth.
VCAS
Leveling the playing field