All elements of this project were aimed towards creating a heightened level of community awareness regarding topical issues that impact young people, as well as directly reinforce the importance of young people being directly involved in the governance of local community projects, work and policy. The topics we looked at were Urban Environmental issues, Vaping and health concerns, Mental ill health in young people and Diet Nutrition and understanding eating disorders’.
We had a range of collaborative community projects within this one funding strand which was as a result relied on community partnerships and enhanced relationships with exterior groups which in turn led to us engage with community volunteers throughout the project.
Throughout the journey with this project we have developed a large range of new connections both locally in the implementation of the project but through the interactions with the Community Development and Health Network and our Mentors and Mentee group giving us some fresh insights, some wider reaching community supports, outlets and resources, but also to offer the services we can deliver to a wider audience.
We are extremely happy with the way in which our young people embraced the responsibility of developing and delivering projects aimed at specific areas that impact on themselves and their greater community. Our young people with the support of IMPACT Training have delivered some fantastic community orientated messages at the same time improving their own skills and becoming a larger part of the community governance process.
The project has been rather fluid, it has seen change to the usual delivery method that we have used, giving young people a budget and control of the project design with support, although we perceived this to be a potential risk at the original design phase, it has had a directly positive impact in the development of budgeting, financial management and report writing.
With out young people delivering many key messages to their peers, the social reach and value of the project was enhanced immeasurably as they led and delivered lots of content to those around them.
“Elevate has given our young people the ability to highlight, challenge and influence the stigmas and understanding of key health related issues that impact young people within their community, not only can they design and deliver an impactful programme, but they can lead and present solutions and methods to challenge key barriers.”
