Young people are set to benefit from a year of action that will mean improved services, better facilities and more of a say on local issues, it was announced at YouthLink Scotland’s national conference.NEW STRATEGY TO ATTRACT VOLUNTEERS
An action plan to attract more volunteers to the youth work sector and improve their levels of support has been launched by the Scottish Government.
The Volunteering Action Plan aims to improve the recruitment process, training and development for people giving up their time to boost young people's lives.
Launching the strategy today, Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram said:
"Young people need guidance, encouragement and attention to help them develop the confidence and self-esteem to fulfil their potential.
"That's why volunteers are so important. Their selfless contribution makes an immeasurable difference to young people's lives, boosting their choices and chances as they develop.
"This action plan will help energise volunteers and encourage more people to take on the rewarding challenge of enhancing young people's lives."
The Volunteering Action Plan forms part of the Scottish Government's national Youth Work Strategy. Already this year £8 million has been invested in:
Youth Scotland will deliver the Volunteering Action Plan.
24/11/2007
Click here to view the Volunteering Action Plan
NATIONAL YOUTH WORK STRATEGY LAUNCHED
Moving Forward:a strategy for improving young people's chances through youth work
Young people are set to benefit from a year of action that will mean improved services, better facilities and more of a say on local issues, it was announced at YouthLink Scotland’s national conference.
Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown marked the start of the action by unveiling the Executive's plan to get more young people more involved - Moving Forward: a strategy for improving young people's chances through youth work.
More than 2,500 young people responded to the consultation on youth work which helped shape the strategy.
This year, the Executive will:
Mr Brown said:
"Young people are full of potential. We need to make sure that every one of them gets the right support to develop their talents and get involved. Youth work - in the uniformed organisations, in other voluntary sector youth clubs and organisations, and in local authority facilities - gives thousands of young people the chance to have challenging experiences, build their confidence, widen their horizons and set them off successfully on life's journey.
"We want even more young people to benefit and that's exactly what our strategy is designed to achieve. Throughout the coming year, we will put in place more funds and strengthened support to revitalise and move youth work, both voluntary and professional, forward across the country.
"Our plan has been influenced directly by young people and we will continue to work with them and everyone involved in providing services for young people during our Year of Action and beyond."
YouthLink Scotland chief executive Jim Sweeney added:
"We welcome this long awaited development and shall react in a positive manner to its recommendations.
"Our young people deserve access to first rate youth work opportunities of both targeted and universal nature."
National Youth Work Strategy - Summary, Outcomes and Actions
Click here to download a copy of the National Youth Work Strategy - Moving Forward.
Scottish Executive News Release 13.03.07
One of the high priorities in the Scottish Executive's Partnership Agreement A Partnership for a Better Scotland is"providing opportunities for our children and young people to grow and develop". The supporting activity to achieve this priority includes a commitment to develop a national strategy for youth work.
A copy of the Partnership Agreement can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/pfbs-00.asp
YouthLink Scotland's work on the National Youth Work Strategy
YouthLink Scotland's Policy Forum developed and drafted a Statement on the nature and purpose of youth work. This Statement has been widely consulted on across the youth work sector and has secured broad support. It was intended that the Statement contributes to the development of the Strategy.
A copy of the statement can be accessed here.
YouthLink Scotland's members will have a key part to play in helping YouthLink Scotland to provide an effective contribution to the development of the National Youth Work Strategy. You can assist this process by taking a little time to participate in YouthLink Scotland's web forum on the National Youth Work Strategy.
Click here to visit the Forum. (please note that you will have to register to view.)
Please take some time to tell us what you think about the proposed National Youth Work Strategy.
For example:
Please feel free to comment on any other aspects that you think are important.
Young People’s Consultation Responses
Youth workers will be facilitating young people to participate in the consultation across the country. In addition we are aware that a number of organisations have been asked by the Scottish Executive to carry out some targeted work with young people as part of the consultation process. These include: BEMIS; LGBT Youth Scotland; Disability Agenda Scotland; Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum; YMCA – rural areas; Youth Scotland.
If you want some help in enabling young people to be part of the process, there is an opportunity on the Forum to share good practice on how to enable young people to participate effectively in the consultation. You can also visit the Youth Participation section of YouthLink Scotland’s website click here, or YouthLink’s Create Scotland website where you can get specific advice on consulting with young people. On both sites you can download Save the Children’s consultation toolkit. You can also contact other organisations such as Young Scot and the Scottish Youth Parliament to find out how they are planning to consult young people in your area.