Involve young people in design of social action opportunities, say charities
Adam Offord
Monday, March 23, 2015
Young people need to be more involved in shaping social action programmes, a group of major children's charities and organisations have suggested.
By having young people involved in the design of social action programmes, commissioners and funders can better ensure they provide engaging opportunities, London Youth’s Getting Beyond the Usual Suspects report concludes.
It also says more flexibility should also be built into the design of programmes so that young people can still take part even if they are unable to attend for the full amount of time.
The report contains summary views from 21 charities and organisations, including BBC Children in Need, The Big Lottery Fund and Step Up To Serve, that aim to engage young people unable to take advantage of social action projects and opportunities.
In addition, it recommends that more inclusive language and branding should be used to attract more young people into social action programmes, so they do not think, “this isn’t for me”.
Opportunities for young people should also be offered in the places and communities where they are, with a lack of transport often preventing young people from taking part.
Phil Kerry, London Youth’s programmes director, said: “If delivered well social action opportunities can and do help build confidence, resilience and strengthen emotional capabilities in young people, which should lead to better outcomes later in life and involving young people in social action in disadvantaged areas can really strengthen communities for everyone.”
The report builds on work carried out for the Youth Social Action Journey Fund, the Cabinet Office initiative that has funded London Youth and other organisations to develop more opportunities for disadvantaged young people.
Kerry added that more needs to be done to help build social action opportunities for young people.
“Many of the organisations working with young people in disadvantaged communities are now competing for what are still quite limited sources of funding, and now programmes and opportunities are at risk," he said.
“This means young people will miss out, experienced staff may lose jobs and vital knowledge and experience will disappear. We hope this report helps convince funders to continue to support this work.”
At the beginning of the month research carried out on behalf of the Cabinet Office revealed the positive impacts social action can have on young people that take part in activities such as campaigning, fundraising and volunteering.
