Citizenship in youth & community groups
Access keys Skip navigation
Informal post-16 provision in
local authority youth services,
local community groups and
the voluntary sector target
groups of young people –
often hard to reach and help –
with projects that may involve
music, sports and media.
Citizenship may be one aspect
of wider projects aimed
at re-engaging disaffected
young people, representation
and consultation with
young people often being
a key focus. Download our leaflet for youth and community groups here or download or order our free introduction to effective practice booklet for youth & commuity groups. See also the latest e-Youth Action bulletin reproduced with kind permission from the National Youth Agency and the latest Youth Action Extra bulletin reproduced from the Youth Action Network for the latest news, resources and funding information for the sector.
'Hear by right' partcipation workshops: Participation Works is offering free places to Hear by Right participation workshops in November to voluntary, community and other third sector organisations. These workshops are designed to provide information about using the Hear by Right standards framework to draw up a map of current participation in your organisation (with children and young people), and create an agreed strategic plan for improvement. More information, including dates and a booking form.
Benefits
Successful citizenship
provision increases
confidence, self-esteem
and motivation for learning.
Young people are encouraged
to express their views,
have a voice, make a difference in their
communities and reflect
on what they have learned.
Case Study
The DAFBY project
which is supported by Bath and North East Somerset
(B&NES) Council, is open to young people aged 13 to 19
in the area. DAFBY (Democratic Action for B&NES Youth)
aims to enable young people to develop skills, confidence,
knowledge and awareness so that they can challenge injustice
and take part in decision-making. DAFBY members are
known as youth councillors and have real responsibilities
within B&NES Council, the Connexions service and the
UK Youth Parliament. The young people decide which issues
they want to focus on, including everything from education,
transport and reducing youth crime, to equality and democracy.
Examples of approaches to citizenship provision
- Youth participation and representative structures, eg local youth councils or parliaments, UK Youth Parliament,
consultation events
- Youth project steering or advisory groups
- Specially written frameworks for citizenship projects
- Voluntary community action and campaigns
- Special events, eg conferences and debates
- Individual or group research projects
- Links with young people’s citizenship learning in formal education and training settings
- Dedicated citizenship qualifications are available
for those who wish to pursue that route
Young Advisors Scheme
Young Advisors are young people aged between 15 and 21, who show community leaders and decision makers how to engage young people in community life, regeneration and renewal. As part of a project supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government Young Advisors are trained and employed consultants who guide local authorities, housing associations and other local partners about what it is like for a young person to live, work, learn and play in their neighbourhood. For support and guidance on how to set up a young advisors project in your area visit the Young Advisors website.
Post-16 citizenship champion projects
Post-16 citizenship champion youth & community groups that you are welcome to contact to find out more about their post-16 citizenship provision are:
Youth and community groups online forum
Post your comments on the citizenship youth and community groups online forum.
Links to relevant articles from Citizenship News
View, download or print articles which relate to citizenship in youth and community groups.
Back to top