Young people build up credit
Young people in Wiltshire are building up credit – but all in a good cause.
Young people aged 12-16 from the Hill Rise area of Chippenham have been taking part in a pilot project called Credits for Young People which sees them rewarded with credits for the volunteering and skills development work they do.
They can exchange the credits they build up for reward activities such as power boating, rock climbing or high ropes or save them towards something that they want to achieve which benefits their long term health and well-being.
The pilot project is run by Youth Action Wiltshire and is part funded by Westlea Housing Association, Clubs for Young People and the Department for Education. The young people engage in a wide range of activities after school, at weekends and in the school holidays, such as community volunteering, conservation work, personal development, sports leadership, healthy living sessions, mountain bike mechanics, wood work skills, street games, first aid and creative arts.
Giving young people rewards for engaging in community activities is a useful lesson, according to YAW project worker Cleo Evans.
“This helps young people to learn that hard work can reap benefits. The young people on the project enjoy these activities very much and are very keen. They come up with a lot of good ideas whilst working hard on projects that have a community benefit. All of the sessions include ways that the young people can gain accreditation for the skills they develop.”
Wiltshire Young Carers Service, which is managed and delivered by Youth Action Wiltshire, runs a similar scheme throughout Wiltshire specifically for young carers called Credits for Caring Kids (C4CK)
Norman Butler, 17, a young carer from Devizes, is saving up his credits for driving lessons.
“I helped the other younger carers on a residential course and have also done some conservation volunteering. We would be happy to help out with all the activities anyway, but it feels quite independent to be earning credits – it feels like earning your own money,” he said.
Amy Dyke, 16, a young carer from Warminster, also wants to do driving lessons. She has helped out at fundraising and charity events for Youth Action Wiltshire and has done conservation work with British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
“I love working for the young carers anyway, but even so it’s good to be able to save up some credits for useful activities. It gives you even more of an incentive,” she said.
Youth Action Wiltshire is currently running a Friends campaign to encourage more people to support its valuable work with vulnerable young people. To find out more about the campaign go to www.youthactionwiltshire.org; email enquiries@youthactionwiltshire.org; or ring Call Ginnie Keen on 01666 822263.
The YAW Project Inspire winter activity programme is also currently underway with a new group of young people not in education, employment or training. They are taking part in volunteering, accredited courses and exciting engagement and reward activities. Project Inspire was recently a national finalist in the Children and Young People Now Awards 2011 for its work with young people at risk from problems such as homelessness, crime, substance misuse, poor health or dropping out of education.
Date Posted: Thursday 8 December 11
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