Raising the Aspirations of Children and Young People

The difference we want our services to make is for children and young people to have opportunities, encouragement and to be able to make choices so that they can reach their full potential.

During the year 4,093 children and young people used Children North East services, 44% more than the previous year. 11% were from Black and Minority Ethnic groups and 4.5% had some form of disability.

The services mentioned here give them good experiences that help to raise aspirations.

Friendship Groups - Children North East run ‘Friendship Groups’ in 8 Gateshead primary schools. The groups are for children most at risk of social exclusion and they help improve school attendance and overall educational achievement. Children are referred to the groups by their teachers. Children North East staff visit the children and their parents at home to obtain their agreement and also make an important link between the school and home.

The groups run for a whole term in school during the school day for 4 to 6 children at a time. Parents, teachers and children complete a short assessment at the start and end of each course to note and record improvements. There was a 91% increase in confidence and self esteem; 93% improvement in social skills and cooperation; 91% improvement in behaviour and resilience; and there was an 89% improvement in participation and attainment in school.

Friendship groups can be provided in any school in the region. Children North East may be able to subsidise the cost of running friendship groups through fund raising so that the cost per child to the school or local authority is equivalent to the pupil premium.

Youth Link - Our three Youth Link projects in Sedgefield, Tynedale and Blyth Valley have matured and operate at full capacity with 96 young people as volunteer mentors. Youth Link recruits, trains and supports young people as volunteers to mentor other young people. The services hold the National Youth Volunteer Network REACH award and the National Mentoring and Befriending Foundation approved provider standard. The training that volunteers receive is accredited by the National Open College Network to level 2.

The volunteers support young people to identify and overcome difficulties; whilst the volunteers themselves acquire skills that help them in their education, training and employment. The service also benefits parents who are often very worried about their young person and have sought out the service or been referred to it by a professional. Each project has a list of young people waiting to be matched to a volunteer; such is the demand for these services.

“When my Mum told me she was setting me up with Youth Link, I wasn’t too happy about it. But I reckon it’s one of the best things I have ever done!”

West End Youth Enquiry Service (WEYES) - WEYES (West End Youth Enquiry Service) is our service in the west of Newcastle for young people aged 11 to 25. This year the project moved back into its original premises following a complete renovation and a large extension to the building. Young people were involved at every stage of the process, advising on everything from the design, to fund raising, promotion and the interior decoration.

Children North East’s objective was to show young people that they were worth the investment and that they deserved excellent facilities. Young people have told us that we have done just that.

The project has been able to add to the range of services on offer including a Community Café funded by The People’s Millions after a successful campaign for public votes. We provide space for other organisations, for example, literacy and numeracy support for young people who are not attending school; a meeting space for Newcastle Youth Council and a training room that can be used by the local community.

WEYES continues to offer advice and support on issues that young people present, this can be as wide as cyber bullying, arranged marriages or relationships with parents. The NHS contract WEYES to deliver sexual health services including condom distribution and Chlamydia testing. This year the project achieved the national ‘You’re Welcome’ quality mark for young people friendly health services.

• 100% of young people told us that they enjoy coming to WEYES
• 93% of young people told us that we were able to help them with their problem
• 100% of young people told us that they were treated with respect by staff

“WEYES is awesome – it’s so cool to be back!” Young Person

Outreach into schools and colleges - WEYES has worked with young people to develop 3 accredited courses for young people. The courses are delivered into schools and can be purchased by schools in other local authorities:

• Steps to Health – healthy and positive lifestyles including healthy eating, drug and alcohol awareness and personal hygiene. Nine two hour sessions for up to 12 students at a time. The course leads to a NCFE accreditation and costs £233 per young person.

Young people who completed the programme reported 100% improvement in knowledge of healthy eating, personal hygiene, drugs and alcohol; and 80% improvement in knowledge of general and sexual health.

• Sexually Healthy – knowledge and skills for healthy relationships and good sexual health. Six two hour sessions for up to 12 students leading to a NCFE accreditation. The programme costs £166 per young person.

“We really enjoyed working with Sam, she made a scary subject fun and interesting.”

• B.U. Mental Health Diploma – managing change, responding to challenges, improving confidence and social skills. Five units that can be taught independently or groups. Each unit has four to six one hour sessions, a total of 28 hours study and costs £330 per young person.

“Our students are finding the project a positive and enjoyable experience that is helping to raise their confidence and self esteem.” School teacher

What we are planning to do next:

• We expect to establish a GP surgery for young people at WEYES.
• We will establish the Community Café at WEYES so that young people gain experience of food preparation, food hygiene and service. The Café will be a focus for senior citizens and young people to meet and share together.
• We will expand Youth Link to benefit other young people as volunteers and beneficiaries, for example those in care and care leavers.
• We will offer Friendship Groups to more schools in Gateshead and neighbouring areas.
• We hope to establish a Buddy Book Club so that secondary school students help primary school children to read and support them in transition to secondary school.