Young Advisors programme encourages involvement in the community

29.05.2008

Even when they’re minding their own business, the sight of young people gathered on the streets often suggests to older people that they’re up to no good, which creates an artificial barrier in the community. On the other hand, young people often feel left out of what’s going on around them and that their views don’t count, which further alienates them.

To remove this barrier and encourage young people to become more involved in the community Transform has introduced the Young Advisors programme. Realising that there is little incentive for young people to get involved if no one asks their views or consults them on issues affecting their lives and futures, Young advisors are encouraged to give young people a voice by representing their views to local authorities, government and other decision-making bodies.

So what do young advisors do and what difference do they make? Rory McDonald, neighbourhood deputy manager of Transform, answers these questions below.

What was the idea behind the Young Advisors programme?

The idea for young advisors came from a national pilot scheme started by the Government aimed at empowering young people directly and ensuring that organisations just don’t make a show of consulting with young people to tick a box.

What do young advisors do?

Young advisors are trained regeneration consultants who work with agencies to help them consult young people on a range of issues and also to ‘youth proof’ documents for organisations so that they are accessible and relevant to young people. They are paid an hourly rate for this consultancy work.

How many young advisors are there and where are they from?

Applicants from Years 10 and 11 go through a ‘Y’ Factor audition. We started with seven original young advisors in Ilfracombe and then 15 in Barnstaple. A new scheme is just starting with 12 more Young Advisors in Ilfracombe.

How do they know what to do?

All young advisors go through a training programme which is managed by the national Young Advisors charity.

How is the programme funded and how long will it continue?

Transform funded the original programme and then submitted a successful bid to North Devon Council to fund the Barnstaple pilot. The new Ilfracombe scheme is funded by the Devon Youth Service. The long-term sustainability of the programme is currently being evaluated.

What results has the programme had and has it changed anything?

The results have been amazing, especially for the young advisors themselves, who have been empowered by the scheme and had their lives changed. They have also gained a lot of respect from many organisations. The original young advisors took part in a hard-hitting DVD about life in our area, which was seen all over the country and by ministers in London.

What do young people do if they want to know more about becoming a young advisor?

Contact Rory McDonald at the Transform office in Ilfracombe High Street.

 

One young advisor's step to a full-time career

The Young Advisors programme has already had a powerful effect on the lives of the young people who have been part of if. As one of the original young advisors, Danni Doran, recounts, it has even shaped her career, which has led her to a full-time permanent post in the national Young Advisors organisation:

“When setting up the programme, Transform targeted harder to reach people in Combe Martin and, as I was quite outspoken, I was asked if I would be a young advisor. I was 14 at the time and wasn’t very well behaved.

Joining the Young Advisor programme made me feel I was being listened to and I felt more involved. I developed a more positive attitude about the community, and my parents and teachers commented on how my attitude had changed. Personal development training for the programme included two weekends at Trafford Hall in Chester and locally, and this was accredited through ASDAN, a recognised educational charity.

As a young advisor I’ve made presentations to the local council and central government, to heads of police services and youth services, and to large audiences and conferences. I’ve worked on local community issues including a service level agreement with North Devon Council covering play facilities as well as funding for youth facilities.”

Following her experience as a young advisor in North Devon, Danni was alerted to a vacancy for a national development role and was selected from 20 applicants to become development officer for the whole of the South of England, managing a team of young advisers for Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

“I would definitely recommend becoming a young advisor. It’s more about maturation and drive rather than skills or qualities, and the broad training helps to give you confidence in yourself.

You do get leads on what work to do, but you can also get together as a group of Young Advisors and put a bid together for a project on any issue providing you can justify it. You can also provide young regenerational consultancy to other organisations. All work is paid at an hourly rate.”

For Danni, the Young Advisor programme has created opportunities and opened doors leading from Combe Martin to Westminster where she has met Cabinet ministers, the Mayor of London and other senior political figures as well as young people from all over the South of England. With a new group of young advisors just starting, the programme promises to continue engaging young people in the community around them.

For more information on Young Advisors, visit www.youngadvisors.org.uk or contact Rory McDonald at Transform.