Youth workers will exchange information and forge new contacts with other agencies working with young people at a gathering at the Nunnery this Saturday (6th March, 2010).
The event will see those working or volunteering with the Department of Education’s Youth Service (and other organisations registered with the Department) make contact with and learn about other services – something that will ultimately improve opportunities for young people.
Ken Callister, Senior Youth Officer with the Department, who is organising the gathering, said, "Sometimes youth workers find themselves seeking more specialist advice or support on behalf of young people.
"Youth workers find it really useful to put a face to the name of some of the more specialist services. When you ask for help or advice on behalf of a young person, it helps if you understand the service and know the person you're asking.
"The day is organised as a series of workshop sessions for small groups and is intended to be the springboard for greater joined-up working.
"The Children's Plan, published by the Isle of Man Government last year, encourages agencies to work more closely together and, since the last event of this type, which we organised in 2007, we have seen many exciting steps taken to more closely integrate services for children and young people.
"The Youth Service and the Police, for example, can be seen working together in a way that is having a real impact: Young people feel safer and have a more positive attitude towards the Police and Police Officers are engaging positively with young people. This has come about though a shared vision for a safer community.
"Two of Saturday’s workshops will explore projects the Youth Service and the Police have engaged in, with a view to sharing some good practice and inspiring others.
"In another area, the Youth Service shares with Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR) the aim of encouraging young people to adopt healthy lifestyles.
"Creating opportunities for teenagers to engage in physical activity of their own free will demands a creative approach. One of the workshops will explore what we can do to tackle this and what activities and events we could arrange.
"A workshop hosted by CRUSE will explore bereavement and its impact on young people and what the charity can do to help. With Manx National Heritage, there will be an opportunity to explore how we can get more young people into heritage sites.
"The housing charity Kemmyrk will explain its work and explore the issues around leaving home, while the Alcohol Advisory Service will give participants the chance to learn more about a service that is there to help anyone aged 12-21 affected by their own or their parents’ drinking."
The Department of Education’s Careers Guidance Service will be looking into ways it can make careers information more readily available to young people through youth clubs and projects, while the Special Needs and Psychology Service will offer explore issues and offer guidance to those trying to make clubs and projects accessible to young people with additional needs.
Saturday’s event takes place at the International Business School from 10am - 3pm on Saturday 6th March and is open to anyone who works with young people in the eight to 21 age range. It is free but pre-course registration is essential.
For more information, contact Ken Callister on 01624 686057 or email k.callister(at)doe.gov.im
