A new programme to increase the scope and quality of youth involvement within member organisations.
London Youth are committed to ensuring that as many of our members as possible are able to improve their level of youth participation and decision making, giving many more young people the chance to lead projects and change their communities for the better. To this end, and following the ‘Learning to Lead’ research conducted by London Youth in 2017 into quality youth involvement, we have developed a pilot of capacity building programme for youth workers and young people.
The overall aim of the Jimmy Dixon Leadership Programme is to increase the scope and quality of youth involvement within member youth clubs. Our research strongly suggests by providing members with this assistance, we will see increased levels of engagement of young people, services that are more focused on their beneficiaries and better able to provide services to young people in their community.
The programme includes a series of consultations, interventions and resources to help member clubs improve levels of engagement and youth-led activity, from the development of programmes and projects, through to the establishment of youth boards and young trustees.
Through the Jimmy Dixon Leadership Programme we will be looking to have a positive impact in four areas:
- Youth workers have increased skills and confidence to deliver meaningful youth participation
- Young people have more confidence to influence decisions and create change
- More London Youth members include young people in their governance structures
- Learning from this process and enhanced local links feed into our Dare London youth board
This programme is generously funded by the Jimmy Dixon Charitable Trust.
How does it work?
Participating members will be able to access activities and resources such as:
Accreditation Residentials: A chance for young people to gain a leadership accreditation at Woodrow High House
Social Action Projects: Money and staff support to help your young people develop leadership skills and ideas to improve member organisations and/or the wider community
Asset-based training: Training sessions to help improve youth worker skills to improve the engagement of young people and making the most of their potential
Youth board consultancy: Personalised sessions to help participating members establish a youth board and/or young trustees to help increase the frequency and scope of youth-led decision making
I’m a London Youth member – how can I get involved?
We are currently seeking members to take part in the asset-based training and youth board consultancy parts of this programme. If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please email Beth Adams, Youth Action Delivery Officer – beth.adams@londonyouth.org.