Children’s events programme to be expanded in York but when?

 

A report which considers how additional funding for the Shine programme of activities is to be spent will be considered by the Deputy Leader of City of York Council at a decision session on 3 December
Click to download

Click to download

Extra funding of £50,000 was agreed at the July council meeting to fund the Shine programme, which offers a range of activities including sports, arts, outdoors, libraries and play activities in York.

This year Shine has offered 474 activities linked to the school holidays.

These have included

  • inclusive music projects,
  • a young carer’s summer programme and
  • York City Foundation football sessions in parks.

Council support is given to organisations providing activities, ensuring that they have the necessary policies and practices in place to deliver high quality activities.

The funding is predominantly used to fund activities for those children and young people who would not otherwise be able to access mainstream provision. This may be through a grants system or by commissioning providers to address an identified gap in provision.

The report outlines the planned programme of activity and assesses the strengths and future challenges of the Shine programme. As part of this it asks for a review of the wider offer for children and young people in the city, which will help shape the programme for future years.

Many will, however, be disappointed that – with only 4 months of the present financial year to run – more additional events aimed at young people have not been identified.

The Deputy Leader’s Decision Session takes place on Thursday 3 December at West Offices from 4.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch later online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To find out more about the report, or to attend, click here

Steps to Success event a huge success

City of York Council’s annual Steps to Success event proved to be a huge success with the event at York Racecourse welcoming over 2000 young people and parents looking for information and advice.

steps to successSteps to Success, held in partnership with York St John University and The University of York, was held on Tuesday 20 October with the aim of providing attendees with information on education and training options, as well as career routes.

The event housed 58 stands at the racecourse providing a wealth of information on Sixth Forms, Colleges, Universities, Apprenticeship Training Providers, Employers and other Support Services.

Running throughout the evening was a rolling programme of presentations including; Options for Key Stage 4 and Beyond, Options for Post 16 Education and Training, Apprenticeships, Progression to Higher Education and Future Job Opportunities.

Anyone parents or young people unable to attend the event who would like a copy of the parents’ guides or more information from the event please contact Beverley Wills on beverley.wills@york.gov.uk or call 01904 553008

 

More mentors for young people in care invited to apply

Mentors 2More independent mentors to help support children and young people in care are being sought by City of York Council to meet demand.

The council’s Independent Visitors Scheme allows young people time with an adult mentor who is at a distance from corporate systems and who gives them a chance to build a long-term, positive relationship with someone who can provide companionship and support. Legislation also requires those in care to have access to an Independent Visitor (IV).

Since City of York Council set up its scheme in 2008, over 30 young people have been matched with an independent visitor. Most of these matches are still running with some having continued for over seven years. Now, more are needed to give more young people in care a trusted adult in their life who has an unbiased view of the care system.

Responsibilities differ and are governed by the needs of each young person. Feedback shows that young people with an IV value the time given to them and the genuine interest shown in them by an individual with no agenda or statutory responsibilities. However some young people ask that their IV gets more involved in the formal process of reviews: the whole relationship is lead by the young person and their requirements.

An IV who has been supporting a young person in York for over six years and through a number of different life stages – including going to university – recently invited him to his wedding. The IV said: “I enjoy meeting up once a month and being able to support young people with life’s challenges. I am able to see them grow and develop into young adults, able to face what life throws at them with confidence and resilience. The role of Independent Visitor gives you and the young person the flexibility to make it work best for the young person and their needs. It is well worthwhile and can make such a difference to the lives of everyone involved. I cannot stress enough how important it is for us all to have someone to rely on.”
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York Stars perform for exclusively for care home residents

A young people’s theatre group has devised, written, produced and performed a short play for residents of the city’s care homes.

The York Stars, a small, local theatre company specialising in community-based productions, was one of four organisations to receive a grant through the Community Play fund. The £90,000 fund was set up to provide fun, stimulating play opportunities, activities and events for children and young people, as well as their parents and carers, within the local community. The programme was managed by Your Consortium on behalf of the council.

Around 20 young people were involved in the project, which got under way at Easter. They put together their own performance, entitled The volcano in Ashraino, writing and directing the play themselves, before embarking on a tour of four residential care homes during the autumn of 2014. They performed at Oakhaven, Willow House, Red Lodge and Dower Court, for almost 60 residents in all.

To view a review of the scheme click

To find out more about the projects being funded through City of York Council’s Community Play fund click here 

Make a difference in your community – fantastic prizes on offer in this year’s Lifestyle competition

A competition for young people to win exciting prizes by making a difference in their community has been launched for the second year running.

Launch of Lifestyle

The Lifestyle competition is open to school children aged between 10 and 16 across York and North Yorkshire who want to do something positive for their community during the summer holidays.

In return for helping their community, contestants will get the chance to win a host of prizes including PLG adventure holidays and mountain bikes.

Last year’s winners include Team Community Spirit who raised funds for their local boxing club in Acomb, The Green Team who launched a campaign to re-use and recycle in York, Team Ice who organised the clean up of their local park in Sherburn in Elmet and Eastfield Youth Council from the Scarborough area who cleaned up The Dell and devised a campaign to encourage people not to drop litter.

This year’s project was launched at Westfield Primary School in York with the help of Minster FM’s presenter “Griffo”.
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York Lib Dems welcome plans to help businesses employ young people

Nicjk Clegg and young person

The drive to help young people get jobs in York will be boosted by plans to abolish employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for under 21-years-olds, York’s Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden said today.

The news means businesses will no longer have to pay tax on their employees aged under 21-years-old. For example, companies will save £1,000 each year for every young employee earning £16,000.

In York the plan to abolish NICs for young people from April 2015 means companies will not have to pay the contributions for 5,750 young people.

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