Local democracy

Agenda item

*SHIPLEY YOUTH SUMMIT - FEBRUARY 2019

The report of the Shipley Area Co-Ordinator (Document “E”) details the Shipley Youth Summit that explored issues related to young people and social mobility.  This work was led by the Young Ambassadors group which supports the work of the Bradford Opportunity Area Fund.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       That the Committee notes the report and supports the on-going work of the Young Ambassadors.

 

(2)       That Councillors consider in what ways they can help support young people to increase their social mobility in Shipley. 

 

(Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

 

(Damian Fisher – 01274 431155)

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Shipley Area Co-ordinator (Document “E”) that covered the Shipley Youth Summit which had taken place on 20 February 2019.

 

It was reported that the Shipley Youth Summit had been opened by the Leader of Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe and had considered issues for young people in Shipley.  Many activities had been carried out during the day and a vote had been undertaken in relation to issues to be progressed.  Three topics, peer pressure, drugs and mental health, had been discussed and Members noted that Titus Salt School was running a project where young people helped each another.

 

A Young Ambassador was present at the meeting and detailed the issues she had faced whilst at school.  Members were informed that the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) had provided support and this had changed her life.

 

It was explained that the Young Ambassadors group had been established in Shipley and was part of the pilot Opportunity Area Fund Plan.  It was reported that Youth Summits had been held in Bradford South, Bradford East and Shipley and the feedback from young people had been that they required help with mental health.  The ‘buddy’ scheme was effective and young people wanted to get involved with progressing the matter.

 

The Chair thanked everyone for sharing their experiences and acknowledged that the young people needed to be supported.  He then posed questions and was informed that:

 

·         There had been an open invite to the Youth Summit with links to Children’s Services and the Shipley Youth Service.  The event had been operated as a satellite and had aimed to be interactive with games.

·         12 areas had been identified by the Department of Education as Opportunity Areas and schools had been picked to receive support. 

·         The scheme operated by Titus Salt School was being looked at by other schools, however, it was optional.  The usual practice was to have a nominated teacher who was responsible for mental health, but Titus Salt had looked for pupil representatives instead.  Good practice needed to be encouraged in other schools.

·         The age range of those at the Summit had been between 13 and 19 years and up to 25 years with disabilities.  It had been predominantly teenagers that had attended.  The young people came from across the Shipley Constituency and there had been some tensions, but it had been a good mix.

·         There had been 35 Young Ambassadors in the District wide group, however, since June locally based groups had been established for the five constituencies.

·         The Young Ambassadors had originally been recruited through Council communications and on-line.  As it had moved to a local model, local Councillors and schools had been informed and advertising would continue.

·         £140,000 had been commissioned for all the work undertaken.

·         Meetings had taken place at Beckfoot School in the past and there was more scope to reach out to different places.

·         Information packs were provided to the Young Ambassadors.

·         As many young people as possible were needed to join the initiative.

·         The project would finish in August 2020.  It was funding led work, but it was hoped that it would continue.

·         It was difficult to transport young people to different venues.

·         Young people in Bingley had expressed an interest in the scheme, so it may start there and could move around in the future.  Baildon already had a Youth Council, so it could be brought into the programme.

 

In conclusion the Chair thanked those present for addressing the Committee and commented that Members had a long standing commitment to work with Youth Services.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the Committee welcomes the report and supports the on-going work of the Young Ambassadors.

 

(2)       That Councillors consider in their deliberations what ways they and the Area Committee can help support young people to increase their social mobility in Shipley. 

 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Children’s Services

ACTION: Area Co-Ordinator

 

Supporting documents: