Cumbria Youth Alliance is a key sign-posting organisation for young people, workers, organisations, parents and carers, with over 120 organisations as members from all over Cumbria.

This Newsletter is produced by Cumbria Youth Alliance with the support of Cumbria County Council and Basis Big Lottery Fund. For inclusion in the newsletter please send articles by email to elspeth@cya.org.uk

Cumbria Youth Alliance

54a Main Street Cockermouth Cumbria CA13 9LU

Inside...UpdatesImportant news on strategy and messages from the Chief Officer

ProjectsKeep abreast of news and developments in the Alliance Projects

Members’ News Your chance to tell us what’s happening in your organisation

ContactsQuick reference for CYA Staff

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CHILDREN’S SERVICES

THE NEWSLETTER OF

CUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCE (CYA)Registered Company in England and Wales No 3819033. Registered Charity No 1079508

May 2011 – Issue 116

Cumbria Youth Alliance says goodbye to Ian Hinde our Training and Development Coordinator who left us on the 13th of May 2011 to take up a post as the Arts Development Officer for Allerdale. I know you will join us in wishing Ian all the very best for the future and no doubt our paths will cross again perhaps through some Arts development for young people. Due to funding cuts and a reduction in demand for this service we won’t be replacing Ian with another full time appointment but will be continuing to provide this service through Juan Shimmin who will be working for us two days per week. All organisations wishing to continue with the Open College Network provision should contact juan@cya.org.uk to book an appointment, arrange for observations of courses or to discuss moderation of your portfolios. Ring him on 01900 822110.Our next date for the Open College Network External Moderation visit is the 23rd of June 2011 and if you want to have your portfolios moderated during that visit you will need to make sure all the portfolios are here at Cumbria Youth Alliance at least 7 working days before the 23rd of June.

If you have any questions or need any help please do not hesitate to contact me cath@cya.org.uk or give us a ring on 01900 822110. As you know we have lost all funding for Trac training as the County Council has withdrawn the grant that previously provided us with around £32,000 for short courses for the youth sector. We have managed to set aside some unrestricted funding from our reserves to continue with this service for the coming year and have a programme of at least 14 courses coming your way all based on the needs you have told us about. We will endeavour to find additional funding for the training and may have to consider beginning to charge for our training courses in line with other organisations, perhaps starting with a two tier charging policy for members and non members? These issues were debated during our Thirteenth Annual Planning Conference, held in Kendal on 17th May 2011. Watch out for our June newsletter to see the feedback from the day.

Goodbye and Good Luck to Ian!

Have your say on your community health services and be in with a chance to WIN £100 M&S vouchersYou can have your say in how your local community health services develop by becoming a member of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – and have a chance to win £100 of M&S vouchers in our prize draw.Your local NHS services, including community hospitals, community services such as district nursing, health visiting, children’s services, community dentistry, learning disability and mental health are now delivered by the Foundation Trust. The Foundation Trust is inviting anyone over 14 years old who lives in Cumbria or who cares for a person living in the county to become a Member.It’s free to become a member and you get the benefits of the NHS discount scheme at a number of high street and online stores – saving you money on everything from meals out to holidays. And if you become a member before 30th June you will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of M&S vouchers.Plus you have the opportunity to get involved as much or as little as you like in the shaping of community health services in your area.As a member of the local community, you will have a voice in how these health services develop to meet the needs of you, your family, your friends and your neighbours.

A Foundation Trust is still part of the NHS family, but it has some freedom from central Government control. Foundation Trusts can decide how to spend some of its money in partnership with local people.Currently there are 8,000 members including service users, carers, staff and members of the public – but they are looking to recruit many more to reflect the interests of all the services provided by the Foundation Trust.Some people like to get very involved, going to special members meetings or by nominating or voting for governors who advise the board of directors. Others prefer to sit quietly in the background and only contact the Foundation Trust if there is something they feel strongly about.This summer the Foundation Trust will be taking their roadshow out to events and venues across Cumbria where you can find out more about becoming a member and sign up on the day – but you can do it now, online at http://www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk/become-a-member.htm , by calling the Governor and Membership Support Office on 01228 603890 or email communications.helpdesk@cumbria.nhs.uk.It’s your local, community health service – have your say on its future.

C U M B R I A Y O U T H A L L I A N C E

Cumbria Youth Alliance Training for Member Organisations – 2011/2012 Our training calendar includes the following: • Fit4 Funding training for smaller groups 10th June –

Carlisle Grand Jury Room• Fit4 Funding training for larger groups 23rd June around

Sustainability and Earned Income Phoenix Youth Centre • Dealing with Difficult and Challenging Behaviour

delivered by Cumbria University -14th June venue to be confirmed

• Preparing to take Young People on Expedition – 30th June Whitehaven Harbour Project (Note this is not a DOE course and will not give you the necessary skills and knowledge for this type of work)

• Food Hygiene Aspatria Dreamscheme – watch out for the date

• Transnational exchanges with young people – NWRYWU – watch out for the date and the venue

• 2 x IT based courses from John Gray around Website and effective communication strategies – watch out for date and venue

• Young People and Mental Health – watch out for the date and venue

• Young Cumbria – Safeguarding Level 2 – watch out for the date and venue

• Marketing and Communication with the Media – watch out for the date and venue

• John Muir Award Customised Leader Training 25th July – watch out for the venue.

All of these courses will be advertised on the website www.cya.org.uk or book through Miranda@cya.org.uk

Other Training from the third sector New course - Youth Mental Health First Aid from Mind

Why is it important?• 1 in 10 young people experience emotional and mental

health problems• By the time young people become adults, the

incidence of mental health problems rises to somewhere between 1 in 4 and 1 in 6 people

• For those aged 15-24 suicide is the second most common cause of death

• There is evidence that early intervention is hugely beneficial.

The 2 day course is delivered by Mental Health First Aid England trained facilitators.

Course dates:

Kendal 7th & 8th June, 14th & 15th June.

For more information and details of training dates in other areas, contact Carlisle Eden Mind: Angela Staples: angela.staples@cemind.org 01768 899002 Phil Robinson: phil.robinson@cemind.org 01228 543354

News from the Youth Led Journey of Youth Project

Journey of Youth Peer Educator Hein van der Westhuizen reflects on a recent training residential in South Cumbria for the young volunteers on the project.I was dropped off at the train station and approached a man standing next to a mini bus with the doors open and Bohemian Rhapsody blasting from the sound system. I thought to myself ‘This will be a resi to remember’. The next task was to collect all the volunteers from the designated pick up points and to make sure that we all got to the venue safe and sound.As it turns out, my predictions came true. From meeting new volunteers, knuckling down to finishing Open College Network Qualifications in peer education and peer research and at the same time having fun. It was enjoyable to know that after months of work and compiling evidence that the qualifications are now complete. Despite the main focus being OCN it wasn’t the only item on the agenda. The first evening consisted of a talk about values and ethics within youth work. It was quite a lively discussion and it got the volunteers thinking about what their opinions were towards strong opinions and ideas, perhaps something that we as peer educators and researchers might experience when volunteering. We also had the chance to think about opinions and views relevant to our project and where we stand ethically and also morally.The following day we were up early and ready for the team building activities that were taking place in the great outdoors. Volunteers were split up into teams for different activities, that all involved standing on a ridiculously small platform and at a distance from the ground. After each activity we all took part in a team obstacle course, where it was a necessity to work together. Lunch was followed by the main block of OCN work, everyone was at different stages, and some people were finishing off OCNs others were only just starting. By late afternoon, some OCNs were completed and the new ones were well underway.We had a guest speaker for the second evening; Kay McGregor from Cumbria Link (CVS) came to talk to us about the influencing voices of young people in health policies today, or rather the lack of. We explored alternate possibilities for young people to voice their opinions on matters like this and also other areas. CVS is part funding some of our work through the Listening Communities Fund.The final day was mainly about the direction for the coming months, what we needed and where we are going. I think this residential more than any other underlined the main purpose of the project and how to achieve it in realistic ways. I feel I can talk on behalf of everyone when I say we know what is expected of us and more importantly we know we are able to achieve it.

Getting High?

Getting Higher?

C U M B R I A Y O U T H A L L I A N C E

News from Shaun Macallum

who has recently completed his one year Skills for Working Futures Programme with Aspatria DreamschemeShaun successfully completed his 12 months Skills for Working Futures placement at Aspatria Dreamscheme on 26th April 2011. During his year long placement at Dreamscheme Shaun concentrated on developing the music programme there, paying specific attention to supporting band practice and recording sessions, helping young musicians improve their skills and giving them the opportunity to perform live and build up their confidence.

Under Linda Hunter’s guidance Shaun gained valuable Youthwork experience and skills which helped him progress through his NVQ Level 2 in Youthwork with Young Cumbria. Shaun concentrated on IT skills, Sound Engineering, Youthwork Qualifications, Sound Systems Development, Instrument Tuition, Sound Equipment Application and his own Personal Development.

More than 40 young people from the whole of the county have progressed through the SFWF Programme at CYA during the last 3 years. In the past 3 years the programme has been mainly funded by Northern Rock, Coalfields Regeneration, Young Foundation and some smaller funders. It gives young people the opportunity to gain valuable skills, qualifications and move into the workplace. It is an ideal programme for young people who are NEET. The programme only works through the Youth sector providing supportive volunteering opportunities and Cath Clarke of Cumbria Youth Alliance had this to say. “Shaun has done a great job at Aspatria Dreamscheme and a big thank you goes out to Linda Hunter who over the years has supported 7 young people on the programme at Aspatria Dreamscheme. Her support and encouragement has enabled these 7 young people to turn their lives around and make a valuable contribution to their own community” We wish Linda and Shaun all the best for the coming two years on their new music programme and know that Shaun and Linda will be welcoming another Skills for Working Futures young person in the near future. “

Here is what Shaun has to say about the Programme and how it’s all worked out for him! And his new job at Aspatria Dreamscheme:“This month has had so much activity and energy and things are looking brighter and brighter and more progress is being made with everything. The music project has gained more interest from bands and is soaring with popularity. My NVQ is steadily moving again with positive feedback from my assessor Ian. I have more confidence with carrying out anything that I am asked to do; something I would have ran away from in the past. So this job is the job of my dreams, as cheesy as it sounds, it’s a dream come true. I could not have asked for anything more from a job because the people I have been working with at Aspatria Dreamscheme are the best bunch of people you can find. There have been so many new skills that I have learned throughout the year such as valuable people skills, computing and gained knowledge of values and ethics of youth work and how to deal with different behaviours. I have been on lots of courses and training has helped me grow into a better person. For everybody who has supported me throughout the year I will be forever in their debt. CYA are a fantastic team who are dedicated to helping me in any way they can and thanks to this scheme I will be continuing to work with Linda at Aspatria Dreamscheme for a further two years. There is more exciting work for the next two years and I will work hard to make a success of everything I can” says Shaun. “Thanks to everyone at CYA, you’ve been bloody great like!” Shaun Macallum

Journey of Youth Roadshow, South Cumbria

Do you want an end of term activity for your year 9s or 10s?

Would you like to provide information about health related issues?

If so, then Journey of Youth, a Cumbria Youth Alliance Project, is offering a 2 hour (max 110 students) workshop on Tobacco Awareness, Responsible Sexual Health, Alcohol, Drugs, Emotional Wellbeing and Risktaking.

Using fun peer led interactive activities the workshops aim to engage with and raise young people’s awareness of these topics which can then be built on in PSHE lessons by teachers or further peer led workshops.

Dates available: Monday 4th July to Friday 8th July

For more information please contact: cheryl@cya.org.uk or laura@cya.org.uk

Cumbria Youth Alliance Burlington House Barrow in Furness LA14 2RJ Tel: 01229 870150

BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISSAPPOINTMENT!

Workshop Leaders

Some of the activities used in the workshops.

Quick Reference for Cumbria Youth Alliance StaffCYA Office Staff

Cath Clarke - Chief Officercath@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Elspeth Payne Administrator elspeth@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Cumbria Youth Alliance54a, Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9LU Tel 01900 822110

CYA Barrow Office, Burlington House, Michaelson Road, Barrown in Furness, Cumbria LA14 2RG Tel: 01229 870150 Website: www.cya.org.uk

Short Courses/CommunicationsMiranda Morganmiranda@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Sports Development ProjectAdam Dickinson Sports Workforce Development Coordinator adamd@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Skills for Working Futures & Duke of Edinburgh’s Award ProjectsRichard Wilson Projects Officer richard@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Membership Support ProjectBrian Le Voi Membership Support Officer brian@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Health ProjectCheryl Merrin-Rankin Youth Work Coordinator South cheryl@cya.org.uk or telephone 01229 870150

Chris Barry Youth Work Coordinator North chris@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Hein van der Westhuizen Peer Education Sessional Workerhein@cya.org.uk or telephone 01900 822110

Youth Work ApprenticesLaura Bunting Peer Education Sessional Workerlaura@cya.org.uk or telephone 01229 870150

C U M B R I A Y O U T H A L L I A N C E

£2.25 million fund is available from the Skills Funding Agency to support adult and community learning activities in England. The fund is administered by The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). The maximum amount for any bid is £75,000 and the minimum is £10,000. Deadline June 10

NCVYS briefing paper on Child Poverty and Social Mobility Strategies NCVYS has published a briefing paper on HM Government’s Child Poverty and Social Mobility Strategies. The Child Poverty Strategy sets “a new approach for the next decade and detailed actions and commitments for 2011 to 2014.” The Social Mobility Strategy sets out the Government’s vision of a life cycle approach to improving social mobility, with “help and support at every stage to narrow the gaps and provide second chances.” NCVYS has commented on the strategies expressing our concerned that the strategies offer little in the way of new policy to tackle the problems of child poverty or low social mobility. http://ncvys.org.uk/UserFiles/NCVYS

NCVYS submission to Big Society InquiryNCVYS has published our response to the Public Administration Select Committee’s inquiry into the Big Society. NCVYS response expresses our concerns about the cumulative impact and consequences of reductions in public expenditure on young people and the voluntary and community youth sector. It addresses a number of areas including: a definition of the Big Society; the impact and consequences of reductions in public expenditure on the Government’s ambitions to deliver its vision for the Big Society; the role of and capacity for the voluntary and community sector to deliver local public services; and the challenges from increased commissioning. http://www.ncvys.org.uk

NCVYS Young Partners Award 2010 Open for nominationsThe nominations for this year’s NCVYS Young Partners Award are now open for all voluntary and community youth organisations and projects. If young people are actively involved in the decision making processes within your organisation or project then why not nominate your organisation and be in with the chance of receiving great prizes. These include a £500 small grant towards developing a youth participation project and a year’s free NCVYS membership. To request an application pack please complete our brief online form. The closing date for the awards is Friday 10 June 2011. http://www.ncvys.org.uk/Young_Partners_Award.html

All-age careers serviceMinister of State for Further Education and Lifelong Learning John Hayes has set out further details about the all-age careers service in England, which will be established by April 2012. This includes new arrangements for careers guidance accessible from September 2011. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will: continue to fund a high quality online and helpline service for adults.From September 2011, these will be linked to similar services for young people, so there is a single point of

access for all users of each service; and continue to fund a network of public, private and voluntary sector organisations to provide face to face careers guidance to adults. http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/speeches/john-hayes-national-careers-service-for-englandThe Department for Education has published a letter setting out the roles of schools and local authorities in new arrangements for young people. The letter says, “new provisions in the Education Bill that is currently progressing through Parliament will change the responsibilities of schools for careers education and guidance. They will give schools greater freedom and flexibility to exercise their professional judgement in determining the most appropriate careers guidance for their pupils.” It notes that the Government will repeal some statutory provisions and sets out key dates for the reform.

Education Maintenance Allowance replacementNicholas Dakin (Scunthorpe, Labour) has asked the Department for Education how much funding they have allocated to (a) £1,200 bursaries, (b) students currently in receipt of education maintenance allowance and (c) students eligible for free school meals from the discretionary learner support fund. Minister of State for Schools Nick Gibb responded on behalf of the Government and said, “We expect the cost of providing a £1,200 bursary to the most vulnerable young people to be just under £15 million in 2011/12. In addition, £101.1 million in 2011/12 will be allocated to schools, colleges and training providers for them to make discretionary awards from the 16-19 Bursary Fund, including to young people who were eligible for free school meals in year 11. Transitional support for young people currently in receipt of education maintenance allowance is expected to cost £194.2 million in 2011/12.” http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2011-05-04a.51642.h

Youth unemploymentJonathan Evans (Cardiff North, Conservative) has asked the Department for Work and Pensions for an assessment of underlying trends in youth unemployment. Employment Minister Chris Grayling responded on behalf of the Government, spoke about labour market statistics and said, “Tackling the legacy of high unemployment left by the previous Government is a key priority for the coalition Government. Young people will benefit from the radical reform of the welfare system which will create a more flexible, personalised package of support to find work, including the Work programme. In addition, the 2011 Budget invested £200 million in support specifically targeted at young people which will include work experience; skills training; guaranteed interviews and progression into apprenticeships.” http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2011-05-05a.54074.h

Around the UK – News Gathering