An event this month will encourage improved ties between those working and volunteering with children and young people.
 
Closer Links is run by the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service. It takes place at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education on Saturday 22nd March from 9.30am to 4pm.
 
Ken Callister, Principal Youth Officer, said the event was open to anyone working with the young, whether on a paid or voluntary basis, and would be beneficial to those running interest, sport and music groups, charities and youth clubs that don’t sit within the DEC.
 
There will be workshops on issues ranging from the serious to the fun. One workshop will ‘demystify safeguarding’, said Ken, which might benefit groups that don’t fall within Government or have the backing of a big national body to call on for advice.
 
Another session will describe the latest developments in vetting staff to work with children via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Staying on top of ever-changing concerns relating to children’s safety online, another challenge for those working with the young, is also covered. Some initial feedback from the biennial youth survey that the Youth Service conducted over the winter will be presented and some of the bigger issues affecting young people, ranging from bullying to eating disorders, will be discussed.
 
Ken said it was the fourth Closer Links event and would build on the success of the previous three.
 
‘Bringing together practitioners from a wide range of organisations, across the Island, that are working with young people and discussing issues that are common to all of helps us to understand each other’s work and challenges and allows us to exchange experiences and ideas, so everyone attending benefits,’ he said.
 
On a lighter note, there will be sessions on initiatives that young people can get involved in during Island of Culture 2014 and on the Youth Arts Forum that’s being launched by the Isle of Man Arts Council on 20th March to coincide with the year-long celebrations.
 
Forty places are available at Closer Links and it’s free to attend, with lunch provided. Bookings close on Friday 14th March. Anyone who registers but doesn’t attend will pay ?10.
 
To reserve a place or find out more about the event, ring the Youth Service on 686057 or email youthservice@doe.sch.im.