Regional development work

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Youth Democracy Development Project: setting up a new youth forum

From February to July 2007 Bath and North East Somerset Youth Service – Democratic Action for B&NES Youth (DAFBY) supported members of a local youth club - Timsbury Youth Club in setting up a new youth forum and to develop the knowledge and skills they need for active participation in their club and wider community decision-making.

The development work involved the Youth Democracy Worker and DAFBY project members in working with the youth leader and members of Timsbury Youth Club to set up a new youth forum. This included:

  • discussion at the youth club management committee on active citizenship, specifically the importance of engaging youth club members in making decisions about how the club is run and ways this might be achieved
  • the youth club leader meeting with club members to discuss the idea of a youth forum and identifying volunteers willing to take forward the idea
  • a meeting between the youth club leader, youth democracy worker and a DAFBY member, to discuss ways DAFBY could support the setting up of the forum and agree next steps
  • participation by the youth club leader in a ‘train the trainer’ course organised by the youth democracy worker for young people, to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for them to go on and train their peers and adults in active citizenship
  • youth democracy worker and DAFBY members facilitating introductory and follow-up sessions at the youth club
  • a youth club member joining the DAFBY group to promote links between the two organisations
  • young people who had participated in the 'train the trainer' course, attending the SW citizenship network meeting to support staff development in youth democracy.

As a result of this work the following outcomes have been achieved:

  • full support from the youth club management committee, including attendance by a committee representative at the introductory session for youth club members to demonstrate commitment to the youth forum
  • a group of young people trained to train their peers and adults in active citizenship, with an opportunity to put into practice their knowledge, skills and understanding, for example, at the SW citizenship network meeting (staff development) and in sessions with youth club members
  • development of the youth club leader’s awareness of activities that can be used with young people in training them to facilitate active citizenship with their peers and adults
  • a group of youth club members interested in establishing the youth forum.

See also sample self-assessment questionnaires for use with young people.

Please feel free to adapt and use any of the materials from this webpage. If you could like further information about any aspect of this project please contact:

Lead contact: Kate Scully

Email: Kate_scully@bathnes.gov.uk or Robert Rumming-Pain:  rob_rumming-pain@bathnes.gov.uk

Telephone: 01761 300302