Bulletin 24 Sept 2010

Call for young people’s views on National Citizen Service

Children & Young People Now is launching a survey to find out what young people think about the National Citizen Service. National Citizen Service (NCS) is a flagship initiative supporting the Government’s vision for building the Big Society. NCS will act as a gateway to the Big Society for many young people, by supporting them to develop the skills and attitudes they need to get more engaged with their communities and become active and responsible citizens.

The programme will promote:

• A more cohesive society by mixing participants of different backgrounds.
• A more responsible society by supporting the transition into adulthood for young people.
• A more engaged society by enabling young people to work together to create social action projects in their local communities.

Government-backed pilots for the scheme will start next summer and will provide around 10,000 places. Aimed at school leavers aged 16, the pilots will take place from June to September, following the end of the exam period, and will last for seven to eight weeks. NCS aims to give every 16 year old the chance to learn new skills that will help them to make a positive contribution to their community.

The survey asks young people aged 19 and below to give their opinions on the scheme, which will be piloted next year. Does the idea of working on community projects with young people of different backgrounds appeal to them? Or would they rather choose how to spend the summer holidays themselves?

More informationWIN £10Chance to win a £10 gift voucher by filling out a survey, 5 people will have the chance to win a £10 gift vouchers for filling out the online survey about Sustainable Development. Please click here, for young people aged 11 – 25 only. Closing date 19th October 2010.

‘Why youth work?’

A participatory workshop with Bernard Davies, Tuesday 5th October 2010, 10.00-13.00, Park Road Community Centre, Park Road, Elswick, NE4 7RU

This workshop is organised by the Developing and Defending Youth Work in the North East. It will provide an opportunity for all those who work with young people and who have a commitment to youth work (as volunteers, paid workers, managers, trainers and educators) to discuss key issues facing us in the constantly changing context for practice and policy.

• Is there something special about the process of youth work? What makes it special? Does it have a purpose and if so what? What do young people actually get out of youth work and the relationships they have with youth workers?
• Can youth work make a difference to young people’s lives? Can we define what is meant by ‘good youth work’?
• What are the success stories of youth work? Can they be put into words? More often than not their work is measured by numbers and by outcomes that have been set by politicians and funding bodies. But what effect does our work really have?

BERNARD DAVIES has been involved in youth work over many years as a practitioner, manager, trainer, policy-maker, researcher, writer and trade unionist. He has published widely on young people and youth work, including: Threatening Youth; Youth Work: A Manifesto for Our Times; A History of the Youth Service in England; and Squaring the Circle, a recent inquiry with Bryan Merton into the state of youth work.

Please register your intention to attend and state any specific dietary or access requirements by contacting: pearl@thestrategy.org or 0191 2742429, ask for Pearl or Don.

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Bulletin 17 Sept 2010

The Truth about Youth Dragon’s Den

The Truth about Youth Dragon’s Den has been set up by a commissioning panel of young people aged 11-25 from across Tyne and Wear. The aim is to fund projects or events that promote positive images of young people in the media and to challenge negative stereotypes of young people. The projects or events must be innovative, exciting and youth led in order to qualify for a grant.

The Dragon’s Den panel will be made up of young people from the Truth about Youth project and a representative from the youth sector and the media. 

For more information please contact Laura Iveson at the Regional Youth Work Unit on 0191 440 4410.

The Big Society

The Big Society is one of the key announcements of the Coalition Government. For a short overview of some of the significant strands of Big Society, which identifies some of the main challenges as well as some of the opportunities, and provides a few links to further information and reading, please download The Big Society document.

The Regional Youth Work Unit is carrying out some research work around this agenda and the role youth engagement can have in Big Society developments. We would be keen to get your thoughts, ideas, questions, signposting to further literature on Big Society, etc; so if you have anything to feed into the discussion please contact Steve Watson on 0191 4404410.

Making an impact

Tuesday 19 October 2010, Centre for Life – Newcastle, 10.00 to 3.00 including lunch.

 This event is an opportunity to meet with other youth work practitioners, share Dr Kerry Young’s research, discuss the importance of the approaches adopted and gain some practical experience.

Making an Impact: Measuring and encouraging the progress of individuals in voluntary sector youth projects is the report of recent work carried out by Dr Kerry Young (Harrington Young Organisation Development Consultants) with projects from our area. The work, commissioned by Northern Rock Foundation, produced three approaches tried and tested with young people.

Dr Young, Hannah Eyres (Keyfund) and Kath Butchert (Sunderland Youth Service) will share their experiences and explain why they think monitoring progress matters, what kind of effects it can have on the lives of young people and how voluntary sector youth groups can benefit from tried and tested approaches.

This is an exciting opportunity for youth workers, training organisations, public service commissioners, funders, students and trainee youth and community workers and voluntary and statutory sector organisations supporting young people. As well as presenting the research, the event will also provide a chance to hear from young people who have used the models on offer and an opportunity to test them out and share experiences and challenges.

If you would like to attend please contact Gemma Appleby at gemma.appleby@nr-foundation.org.uk stating your name, organisation, job title and any dietary or access requirements you may have by the 1st of October 2010.

Dr Young’s report is available to download from our website (http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/publications_others.html ) and the models used will be available in the workshops.

Participation in CAMHS

November 25th 2010

Venue: The Durham Centre, Belmont Industrial Estate, Durham, DH1 1TN

Registration: 9.30am Finish: 2.30pm

Background

Following the publication of the Regional Audit of Children and Young People’s, Participation in CAMHS and the Regional Seminar in November 2009 there have been a number of developments which have supported the participation of children and young people in all areas of CAMH Services.

Aims of Conference

• Launch of the new online participation resource
• Pick up on key areas/messages from the Regional Seminar in November 2009
• Share and showcase regional and local good practice
• Consider the agenda in the light of key NHS structural changes and what this means for participation within CAMHS in the North East

Who should attend?

CAMHS Managers, Practitioners, Team Managers and Practitioners from Children and Young People’s Services, Youth Workers, Participation Workers, children and young people.

To book your place pleases either: email Theresa Dawson at Investing in Children, theresa.dawson@durham.gov.uk or telephone 0191 3867485 by no later than 25th October 2010

Coalition Fund Raising Week – Volunteers Needed 

They are seeking volunteers to help us during the week of our fundraising week at the Metrocentre.  Coalition need help on; Saturday 23rd October & during the week commenting 25th October 2010.

You can help as little or as much as you would like. By volunteering you will be helping a charity that supports LOCAL children, young people & families. Help make a difference

The Northumbria Coalitions is a registered charity & our Youth & Community Programmes give vital support vulnerable and disadvantaged Children, Young People & Families in Northumberland & Tyne & Wear.

For further information or if you have any enquiries, please contact Heather on: 01661 868424 or heather@ncac.org.uk

Child poverty: Everybody’s business

Child poverty is everybody’s business. Figures report that one in three children in the UK live in poverty, and research shows that it impacts on a child’s health, education and life expectancy. This national conference will give you the opportunity to hear about and discuss some of the key issues, policies and plans to tackle child poverty. There will be presentations from the Government’s Child Poverty Unit as well as the Child Poverty Action Group and Save the Children. A series of workshops by the National Children’s Bureau, Fairbridge Training, Citizens Advice and NAVCA will give you the chance to explore how to get more involved in local activities and services to improve outcomes for children and young people.

This event is for:

Employees in local support and development organisations who are responsible for informing and engaging local voluntary groups and organisations in child poverty strategies.

Groups and organisations working in the field.

Statutory services interested in finding out more about the voluntary sector and its role in tackling child poverty.

Venue: The CastleGate, Melbourne Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2JQ

www.thecastlegate.co.uk

More information

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Bulletin 10 Sept 2010

Are you concerned about potential cuts to the voluntary sector?

Children Young People Now and the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services are calling on you to help them establish the size of cuts facing the sector by taking part in a short survey. They will use your evidence to hold the government to account for funding difficulties the sector is facing in advance of the Comprehensive Spending Review in October. They cannot make a case unless they can argue with real evidence about your experience on the ground. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete and the deadline for completing questionnaires is 17 September.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22B3Z5GSCQK  

Architecture for everyone 2010 North East

Want to know more about architecture and the built environment? Interested in working in the profession?

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and RMJM Architects in partnership with Northern Architecture will be delivering an exciting and free workshop programme in Newcastle and Gateshead during the Autumn Term 2010 as part of this years

Architecture for Everyone national campaign.

Working to encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in the built environment since 2008, Architecture for Everyone has worked across the UK inspiring them to get into Architecture.

Wednesday September 29th 2010, Built Environment careers day: Newcastle University’s School of Architecture, Planning + Landscape. October – November 2010,

‘How Do We Want To Live?’ 5-day workshop programme.

For more information about how to get involved please contact Lowri Bond at Northern Architecture on lowri@northernarchitecture.com or call 0191 260 2191

Free ITQ courses in Durham

Improve your IT skills and gain a nationally recognised qualification to demonstrate your ability with Distance Learning College & Training.

Cover the things you want to learn about from word processing and spreadsheets to email and using the internet.

There learning centre is based in Meadow field, Durham where they have a team of experienced tutors on hand to support you throughout your learning journey.

Places on this course are limited. Contact Distance learning, College and training on (0191) 3787520 to book your place and achieve your qualification in IT to boost your CV.

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Bulletin 3 September 2010

Geet big north abseils

The last two GEET BIG NORTH ABSEIL’S from the roof of the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle for this year take place on:

Sunday September 26th and Sunday October 24th. This is an ideal way to raise funds without having to take part in a gruelling 13 mile run or a heart pounding 100 mile bike ride – and it costs less to enter.

Mobex have places left on both these abseils but Mobex will need to register quickly to make sure you can take part.

Registration is £25 per person – the amount of money raised so far this year from people taking part in a GEET BIG NORTH ABSEIL has been in excess of £65,000.  Contact for a registration form NOW!

0191 2302830 or email: danny@mobexnortheast.org.uk

Foundation Degree in Working with Young People

Higher Education (Level 4) Entry Requirements: An appropriate Level 3 Qualification

This course is open to mature students who may or may not necessarily have any formal qualifications, but have suitable experience and interest in the subjects being delivered.

The programme has been designed in close collaboration with local employers, taking care to ensure that their needs are met and thus provide students with enhanced career opportunities. The workplace is at the heart of the course and will be a significant element of the learning for students on this course; you must be employed in a suitable position and have the support of your employer to enable you to complete the work-based practice elements.

Further Information: Tynemet College 0191 229 5000 or Doug Hallam 0191 229 5173

Start date: September 16th 2010. Teaching runs from 2 – 9pm every Thurs (School Term)

Progression To: BA Hons at the University of Sunderland

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