Youth Forums/Panels Workshop Saturday 3 rd March 2012 Southeast DofE Conference

Medway DofE Youth Panel

How we set up our Youth Panel… It was proposed by a member of the adult panel The member set up a meeting and ed various youth groups and participants that they thought would be interested. At this first meeting the various roles were decided upon; Chair, Vice, Secretary, Treasurer etc From then on the panel has run by itself mostly, growing in number and developing as a panel

What Have we done?

Opportunities Booklet

Children In Need Everest Climb

Presentation Evening

Expedition Survey Forms Campsite quality ‘Drop-outs’ form End of expedition

Children In Need 2011

Speakers V-Inspired CVs

What are we going to do? Website eDofE Survey Raise £1,000 for local charities AGM Presentation Evening Queen’s Jubilee Recruitment Make more links nationally

Medway & Hampshire

Hampshire DofE Youth Forum

How we set up our Youth Forum… Gill Spratt (Hampshire DofE Manager) proposed the idea of getting Young Peoples views. Sent an to all DofE leaders. Attended a meeting, where we planned what we would like to do… And then it continued from there…

What Have we done?

Website

Online Campsite Map

Hampshire Gold Presentation Evening

Met the Duke of Edinburgh

First Aid Training

The next year… Raise £1,000 –50% Hampshire DofE Youth Forum –25% British Red Cross –25% Local Charity Teach 250 Participants in First Aid Increase Youth Forum involvement…

Benefits To Young People

Benefits to the Young People Giving Young People a voice! Young Peoples views are more appreciated Builds on several life skills: –Friendships –Confidence –Organisational –Communication –Meeting Skills Count towards their Skills/Service Forum for Charity Work

Benefits to Local Operating Authority

Benefits to the Operating Authority New Initiative Ideas! Young Peoples views Support at events Creates a positive image of DofE working with Young People Promotion of DofE

Creating/Setting up a Youth Forum/Panel

But, how do I create a Youth Forum/Panel? You don’t – The Young People do. Set up the First Meeting: –Central location (pay expenses!) –Make sure everyone knows! –Get food & drink.

What support is needed?

Medway - How do you support them? Provide regular adult support and a meeting venue Provide a limited budget through the Medway Award Panel Invite the Chair and any nominated representatives to attend and contribute to the Medway award panel meetings. Encourage independence to plan their own activities and projects

Hampshire - How do you support them? Provide them with contacts. Let them do the work, not you! Support them how they like, they might need any support at the beginning…

Why are they Important?

Why are Youth Panels/Forums important? Young people are the service users Young people have a front line experiences from which to draw upon Young people are able to take their peers more readily and with an open attitude Young People can bring new skills/ideas to you…

What do you achieve by listening to them? Our participants themselves are at the heart of designing, managing and evaluating the way that we deliver the three levels of the Award. We are able to consult with these young people who represent their peers, about decisions that will affect them. They play an active part in the annual celebratory event that recognises achievement

Contact us… Hampshire Youth Forum Facebook – Hampshire DofE Youth Forum Medway Youth Panel Facebook- Medway DofE Youth Panel