YES - Youth Engagement Strategy

YES logoEngaging young people in activities or discussion about their community is always a challenge but one that whg is continually seeking new ways to meet through YES - whg's Youth Engagement Strategy.

If you would like to know more about how you can get involved, or have a project which you would like YES to be involved in, please contact lynne.reynoldsgough@whgrp.co.uk or call 0300 555 6666.

 

YES 2009/10

With the project now in its third year there are a lot of exciting plans. 2009/10 will be a year of consolidation and whg intends to increase the number of young people involved, providing more capacity building and more innovative routes through which young people can have their voice heard. young people involved

An Outward Bound course has been organised in line with consultation with young people to help develop teamwork skills and self-confidence. So far this year young people, with the suppport of mentors, have attended a European Neighbours Day event at Edgar Stammers School, where they consulted with school children about healthy eating and healthy activites as well as talking to others about getting involved with YES in the future.
 

Previous work

Since YES was established in 2007, whg has successfully completed a range of initiatives with the young people involved. The number of youth mentors has increased to 14 whg colleagues, who work with the young people through group activities and consultations. Examples of previous projects and trips are listed below.

  • One trip was to The Eden Project in Cornwall, where young people had an opportunity to learn about different environments across the world as well as consulting with whg about environmental initiatives and priorities. young people taking part in consultation
  • Master Chef was a project which saw young people preparing a three-course meal for whg colleagues, teaching them about healthy eating whilst developing their cooking skills and self-confidence.
  • In celebration of Black History Month, young people saw a showing of the play Sweet Tooth at St Paul’s The Crossing, depicting the history of slavery and raising awareness of current racial issues.
  • A group of young people attended a ‘Young Spacemakers’ course, where they looked at issues around developing recreational areas, developing project management skills and working with others.
  • There was a Tall Ship challenge along the south coast of England.
  • whg held a Youth Parliament activity, where over 40 young people met at Walsall Town Hall to contribute to whg’s plans by answering questions using electronic voting buttons.