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RIP Dudley Booth and Jim Corben
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Dudley Booth and Jim Corben who were both involved with youth work and community work in Devon for many years. We would like to pass on our sympathies to their families and our gratitude for their long service to children and young people in Devon.There is a commemorative service on Sat 21st at 2pm in Braunton (for Dudley) at which Steve Keeble who was a fellow Trustee and latterly Chief Officer at Community Action will be doing a small piece about his work and again on Sat 21st at 12 noon in Teignmouth (for Jim) with plans in place to ensure recognition of his role in Devon as well. We'll be publishing some memories from colleagues of their life and work in next week's bulletin.
Tim Tod steps down after 20 years as Young Devon’s Chief Executive
We would like to extend our our thanks and best wishes to Tim Tod as he moves on from Young Devon and continues his work in an independent capacity. He has been the dirving force for young Devon and lots of wider youth work and we are so grateful for all his hard work and dedication. Read more about his decision to leave Young Devon here
Incredible outward bound opportunities offered for young people through the Sir Francis Chichester Trust
Please spread the word, share the opportunity and ensure that those young people that can most benefit, do!
The Sir Francis Chichester Trust is once again offering FREE places on the 19 day Outward Bound 'Skills for Life Award' course to young people who live in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) and who are aged 16-19 (at the time of the course, which will be July/August). The courses are held at the Outward Bound centres in the Lake District, Wales and Scotland.
The course is designed to help participants make an effective transition into sixth form, further education or work and is a chance to have a life-shaping adventure with people from all over the world, to know what they are truly capable of achieving and to stand out in a crowded market place.
The aim of the Skills for Life Award course is that young people challenge themselves, demonstrate progress through 1:1 action planning focussed on personal development, work outside of their normal friendship group and leave with a breadth of experience that will enrich personal statements and set them aside from other young people. The main benefits for the young people are seen in greatly improved self-confidence and team working abilities, together with raised aspirations.
The Trust looks for candidates that wouldn't normally have a chance to undertake anything of this nature and will be able to enjoy and benefit from the experience. Please note that we cannot support any young people that at the time of their course are subject to a youth offending order and also that if a young person has been supported by the Trust previously they are unlikely to be funded for a further course.
The Sir Francis Chichester Trust will meet the full course fee (£1,949pp) for successful applicants and ask that they are responsible for their own transport to the Outward Bound centre of their choice. However, if transport costs are prohibitive then we will look at additional support if possible.
The closing date for applications is Monday 10th April with interviews for those shortlisted being held 27th and 28th April in Exeter and young people applying must be available on one or other of these dates. An application form can be downloaded from the Trust website http://chichestertrust.org/ and there are further details and a video clip about the course there as well. You can also download the Trust's Newsletter from the website and this has some feedback from young people who attended a course in 2016.
This is is a wonderful opportunity for young people who wouldn't normally have a chance to undertake anything of this nature
New skills opportunities for young people in and around Exeter
Our friends at Young Devon have some exciting opportunities for young people coming up and would like the help of our network to spread the word and make sure that local yong people acess these new programmes:
These upcoming programmes are available to young people between the ages of 16 – 18, although there is some funding for a limited number of places for over 19 year olds.
Work Based Learning Programme
A 12 week course. The course will be over three days a week, Monday to Wednesday for 4 weeks learning Employment Skills and then 8 weeks of Employment Skills (mon-wed) plus work experience, Thursday and Friday.
We will cover such things as CV writing, Interview techniques, confidence building, team-working skills, safety at work, and goal setting and personal targets. We will be delivering Functional Skills Maths and English for those who do not have C grade at GCSE already and put them through the exams.
Young people can leave after 12 weeks with a Level 1 in employment skills, an example of quality work experience for their CV's and up to a Level 2 Functional Skills award in Maths and English.
Independent Living Skills programme
A 12 week course. The course will be over two days a week, Thursday and Friday. It is a community based course and will cover confidence building, accessing information within the community and team working skills. This is an Entry Level 3 qualification.
Their programmes are youth work based and includes active participation and hands on learning.
Both programmes are formal qualifications but are presented in an informal way, with support for individuals.
The work experience placements will be managed by the tutors and are a key part to the qualification as a whole (the 'Work based learning programme).
Both courses will be based in the Exeter YES centre. The 'Work based learning programme will start on 30/01/2017 and the Independent Living Skills programme on the 02/02/217.
Public transport travel will be reimbursed.
Sessions will begin at 10am and finish at 4pm each day.
If you have contact with any young people who are 16-18 years old and would like to find out more information, please contact me or Ben Feasey on ben.feasey@youngdevon.org or 07894724602
CEO Network Meeting
The next CEO Network Meeting will be held on Tuesday 14th February
Devon Voluntary Action has taken on the co-ordination of the CEO network and would like to invite you will be able to attend the next meeting which will be held on Tuesday 14th February 2017, 2pm to 4pm at Living Options Offices, Ground Floor Units 3-4, Cranmere Court, Lustleigh Close, Matford Business Park, Exeter EX2 8PW.
Angela Peddler from NEW Devon CCG will be joining them as the lead for the Sustainability and Transformation Plan for Devon and will provide an update on its progress.
To help them make appropriate arangements, please email training@devonva.org to confirm attendance
Looking for a meeting space in Exeter?
Then look no more. Exeter Young Devon, (The YES Centre) have rooms to hire. Find out more and take a look at the rooms here
Congratulations to members who have won in the the Aviva Community Fund vote off!
We were delighted to hear of the success of Lifeworks Devon, for their Breaking the Barrier project which was the overall winner in the 'up to £25,000 category' of the Aviva Community fund recieving a stunning 4,972 votes. Congratulations also go to the Devon Association of Young Farmers who won their category 'up to £5000' with 1,307 votes. Many congratulations to them both from us all in the network - great effort!
Important good practice in Early Help assessment update
Please read the letter from Jo Olsson to update you on important changes to the tools for supporting good practice in Early Help assessment and planning and the upgrade to the existing Holistix system. Read her letter here
New Youth Club for Cranbrook
On Tuesday 17th January, Youth Genesis launched a new project in Cranbrook for young people aged 11-19. The new Drop-In is being held at the Younghayes Centre in the new town which is situated just outside Exeter. Working with Cranbrook Town Council and Action East Devon, Youth Genesis is offering sessions that will include games, cooking and workshops around the issues that young people may face. As well as the new youth sessions, Youth Genesis will also be providing training opportunities for new volunteers to help develop this exciting new project.
Strategy for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) – 2017- 2020
The way that education, health and social care services are delivered to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families has undergone significant change, both nationally and locally. A draft SEND Strategy has been developed which aims to set out Devon’s vision and strategic priorities for the next few years. This demonstrates DCC's commitment to joint working across all partners, including Education, Social Care, and Health.
What do you think of their draft SEND strategy? Your views are really important in helping them to ensure we focus on the right things, which will help us to improve the experience and outcomes for all children and young people with SEND and their families. DCC are working with Healthwatch Devon to ensure the consultation reaches as many people as possible.
The consultation runs from 17 January to 17 March 2017, so please make sure you respond in this time to have your views taken into account.
Please send feedback to FREEPOST RTEK-TZZT-RXAL, Healthwatch Devon,3 & 4 Cranmere Court, Lustleigh Close, Matford Business Park, Exeter, EX2 8PW