Youth Work and Outdoor Learning: tools for building resilience? Gill Millar Co-ordinator SW Youth Impact Network gillmillar2000@outlook.com @gillmillar

What is Youth Work? Youth work helps young people to learn about themselves, others and society through non-formal educational activities which involve enjoyment, challenge and learning. The purpose of  youth work is to achieve the following with young people: Build their self-esteem and self-confidence. Develop their ability to manage personal and social relationships. Create learning opportunities and to develop new skills. Encourage positive group atmospheres. Build the capacity of young people to consider risk, make reasoned decisions and take control. Develop a 'world view' which widens horizons and invites social commitment. (Youth Scotland, 2019)

Where does youth work happen? Youth Centres On the streets/parks/countryside In and around schools Linked to public services – libraries, hospitals, young offenders institutions, FE Colleges… Voluntary organisations, charities, social enterprises Volunteering and social action programmes Through arts, sports, environmental and heritage organisations Youth voice projects – youth councils, UK Youth Parliament, campaign groups Social justice and instrumental

What outcomes does youth work try to achieve with young people?

What outcomes does youth work try to achieve with young people? Given complexity and sheer breadth of field of vision Is needs analysis Is service design and evidence base Is evaluation All everyone’s business

Connections between youth work and outdoor learning? We have addressed one and are starting to address two Three and four have to be based on local insight Four needs to be supported and behaviourally driven

Connections between youth work and outdoor learning? An example… NATIONAL CITIZEN’S SERVICE Aimed at 16/17 year olds – a rite of passage to active adult citizenship 3 - 4 week programme in teams of up to 16: Week 1: Residential in outdoor education setting Week 2: Residential in setting closer to home Weeks 3/4: Plan and carry out a social action project in the community Can we collaborate on the process and evaluation of NCS? We have addressed one and are starting to address two Three and four have to be based on local insight Four needs to be supported and behaviourally driven

Sharing research findings? Sharing resources? How can youth work and outdoor learning collaborate more to enhance our work with young people? Sharing contacts? Sharing research findings? Sharing resources? Collaborating on new initiatives? Key issue in understanding how and whether is……