Introduction
Style Training (Success Through Your Learning Environment) in association with its parent organisation the Clubs for Young People Wales is developing a leading edge social programme that will engage young people aged 14 to 19. These young people may not be in employment, education or training but do have issues surrounding anti social behaviour and offending.
The targeted young people will live in communities that are likely to be some of the most disadvantaged in the region. There will be intergenerational issues between the young people and other community groups. Celtic Connections will provide these young people with positive confidence to enable them to speak with authority on matters relating to them and their every day lives. It will also allow them to play a greater role in the democratic life of their community.
Who are involved? We are in partnership with the other Celtic regions of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland (CYP NI) and Scotland (CYP Scotland), as well as European partners in Moneymore and Dublin (Republic of Ireland), Nantes (France) and Porto (Portugal). We are also making links with Vigo (Spain). This will establish a vibrant network of European Celtic Regions.
The Network will provide a value added resource to community youth workers. Following discussion with the regional partners it was evident that the young people targeted through CELTIC CONNECTIONS are those who are more difficult to engage, with problems being identical in all countries across Europe. The young people are isolated from other groups and have been identified as a focal point of conflict for community life. There is a lack of many basic and employable skills and poor communication skills. The ability to work with others is underdeveloped. Teamwork and problem solving are therefore skills that require development and expansion.
What is the aim of the Network? The aim is to encourage young people to express their feelings on life in their community, highlight the issues that affect them and provide solutions for improving life chances and employability. This will take place in a setting of European awareness and developing citizenship. The young people will be supported to highlight major issues they experience and to seek solutions to these issues. This style of work in not unique, however, the ability to share problems and develop solutions across a European network is innovative and provides a positive focus for the group. The project will also aim to develop a non-formal qualification that will be an accepted and transferable qualification across the partner regions
Who will use the network? Existing agencies and organisations that are working with or seeking to engage with this target group, Voluntary Youth Organisations, Statutory Youth Organisation and Community Police.
How will it work? While the CELTIC CONNECTIONS Network will want the partner regions to develop their own style of engaging the young people the following is suggested to provide guidance.
- Local community workers will engage a small (5) group of young people to establish a working forum.
- The forum will discuss issues and events that present difficulties within communities.
- The forum will then share these comments with other groups in the region and also eventually with groups in other parts of the network.
- Either on an individual basis or with support from other groups, solutions will be offered and considered. The forum leaders will ensure that suggestions are achievable and realistic with respect to available resources and funding.
- The ultimate aim is to have groups offering practical peer support both within their local region and with other regions in the network. We aim to see the exchange of good practice across the whole network.
- All exchange visits should have purpose and substance. We would like to see all these visits leaving a positive impression on community life.
- The focus will be to raise self-esteem and self worth. The network will encourage the identification of the additional skills acquired through the activities. These skills will be mapped and provide a pathway into further training and employment.
- The forums should work toward making a positive contribution to the community and foster Community and European Citizenship.
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