THE EQUAL ACCESS FOR YOUTH PROJECT - "The Year Round Project"
Funding from the Big Lottery has enabled us to expand on our pilot
projects of Activity Days, Residentials, Youth clubs and other Over 12s
activities.
The Project is split into 5 sections:
- Summer Activity Days: For integrated
groups (with and without
special needs) of young people between 12 - 19 to enjoy a two week
summer activity scheme supported by experienced tutors and youth
workers; and giving them a choice of activities and the opportunity to
manage the scheme for themselves.
- The Activity Days Project: A
chance for integrated groups of
young people to explore new activities in creative arts, outdoor
pursuits, environmental work and sport, with the support of experienced
tutors and youth workers.
- The Residential Project: A chance
for integrated groups of young
people to experience new activities and gain independence skills by
having weekends away. (i.e. in Youth Hostels etc.)
- The Youth Consultancy Group Project:
An opportunity for an
integrated group of young people to meet and discuss issues affecting
young people aged 12 - 19 and to input concerns into other agencies
e.g. the Youth Forum, The Childrens Commission, etc. and also to
directly influence the future direction and development of Interplay.
- The Youth Club Project: To enable
young people with learning
disabilities to join local youth clubs, using trained support workers
and working closely with the Youth Service.
Interplay has shown by the success of past pieces of work and the
continuing success of the projects, both the need and value of this
type of initiative.
The projects are organised by Youth Development Officer John Hawkins
with the aim of running up to 10 two week summer Activity Days Projects
per year, 10 or more Activity Days during the year, 3 Residentials as
well as regular Youth Clubs and the Youth Focus Group.
Sessional staff are employed to run the actual activities while John
has the help of Interplay's admin team to help with the day to day
organisation.
OUTCOMES OF PROJECT
- Participants will build friendships and relationships
- Participants will learn new skills
- Participants will improve their self- esteem
- The project will promote equality of access to play and leisure
opportunities
- The project will provide breaks for families and carers
- The project will enhance local youth leisure provision, working
mainly with communities experiencing high levels of poverty and social
and economic deprivation
