engaging young people

Engaging young people in activities or discussion about their community is always a challenge but one that whg are continually seeking new ways to meet.

11 whg colleagues are pioneering a youth mentoring scheme, designed to help young people who live in whg properties to receive one-to-one support and advice. The scheme aims to help local families by offering a friendly, non-judgmental adult that the young people can turn to. The whole approach is a two way street that will not only boost the self-confidence and key skills of the youngsters but also encourage and add experience to the mentors.

A number of initiatives have already taken place as part of the scheme including a Tall Ship challenge along the south coast of England and educational visits to social housing projects outside of Walsall.

Other youth engagement activities have included a Youth Parliament; over 40 young people met at Walsall Town Hall where they were able to contribute to our plans for the next three years by answering questions using electronic voting buttons.

In addition to the youth mentoring scheme, whg are rolling out community based capacity building projects across the borough. whg tenants are recruited to act as community experts, to get involved in the development of community activities in their area. One such project saw the use of a Big Brother-style chair where young people could record their views about what they saw as priorities for the revitalisation of their neighbourhood.

Some of these community experts have since enrolled at university or found paid employment.

For more information about our youth mentoring scheme or capacity building projects, contact Connie Jennings, Regeneration Programme Manager at connie.jennings@whgrp.co.uk .