Youth Work- CO Durham

MILLION HOURS FUND: funding from Lottery and DCMS to support 120 young people:

This funding allows Groundwork to offer youth provision for all YP age 11-18 at Eden Hill – an area identified within the top 10% most deprived communities nationally (Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019). There is a lack of youth provision in this area currently and funding will enable us to deliver youth focussed sessions that will directly benefit the YP but also the wider community. Anti- Social Behaviour affects are wide-reaching and our aim is to educate YP about the impacts in a supportive way.

POLICE CRIME COMMISIONERS: Funding to deliver 96 workshops across Co Durham

Our Youth Workers and partner organisations provide workshops and activities to increase self-awareness, develop knowledge and conflict-resolution skills. Exploring topics such as mental health, drugs and alcohol, masculinity, healthy relationships and enabling YP to make informed choices. Working in collaboration with YP and supporting them to address issues by working closely

with youth workers or a referral to a specialist service such as drug and alcohol, counselling, anger management. Partnering with Changing Relations will mean that we have access to workshops that will focus on issues that link into or can develop into serious violent activities.

DURHAM AREA ACTION PARTNERSHIPS: funding secured to support 70 Young People

We focus on building positive supportive relationships with YP, based on mutual respect –acting as a trusted adult and positive role model. Through centre based, detached and outreach youth work we will engage with YP that do not attend organised activities. They are more likely to spend their free time on the streets which can result in them being at increased risk of becoming involved in serious violence. Through open honest conversations we will seek to identify issues affecting YP lives, causes of conflict, exploring attitudes and behaviours.

NCS – Grants for all: working with 100+ young people in secondary education

Working with young people at pivotal point in their lives where every new experience that we can introduce them to opens them up to new learning, knowledge and opportunity. They will gain confidence, new skills, the ability to work well with others who may hold different views than them, opening YP up to new ways of thinking and support to be more active in their own community

WORK IN SCHOOLS

Enrichment Programme Pilot:

A research Project to look at improved coordination and access to enrichment activities in schools. With our vast experience of working with children and young people, with alternative education schools, NEET young people, employment and community activities Groundwork are supporting this Project with 10 Schools in Co Durham. This is a Partnership approach supported by, NCS and The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

The Enrichment Programme Pilot aims to:

Research Improved coordination by:

· Enable access to enrichment activities for young people

· Enable coordinated approach, network facilitation for schools and staff

· Improve capacity for schools and enrichment providers

· Improve access to schools/YP for enrichment providers

· Enable co-design of activities – ensuring needs are met for all parties

Coordinated enrichment activity enables young people and Schools to have better access to and a better designed service; designed to meet the needs of YP. The Pilot aims to show how co-designed activities have better and more long-lasting outcomes for YP.

So far GROUNDWORK are working with the following schools:

Consett Academy – King James Academy- Parkside Academy – Seaham High Schools – Whitworth Academy

Shotton Hall Academy – Woodham Academy – Durham Academy – Wellfield School – Durham Johnston School

Good News Story- Following feedback gathered from pupils and teachers regarding their concerns over the environment and sustainability at the school, I introduced them to our Blue Influencers Team. The BI Team discussed with the pupils what damage was being done to the environment and the species that were in danger. The class were given 3 sessions within school lessons and then asked what project they wanted to work on and if they wanted to continue the sessions after school. 21 of the 30 pupils are now attending the afterschool sessions and developing a campaign to promote recycling within the school. The pupils are also applying for £5000 funding from the Blue Influencers Project to take the group to the Farne Islands on a field trip