19962017

21st

-

Corner

angle

2001 - 2005 Developing Resources

Corner Angle

Page 2Introduction by Stuart Murdoch

(Leisure & Culture Dundee)

Page 3 - 4Establishing The Corner

1995 - 2000

Page 5 - 8Page 9 - 12

2006 - 2010Recognising Strengths

Progressing Services2011 - 2016

Page 13 - 16

Page 17 -19

201721st Year

Page 20Next Steps by Manjeet Gill

(Corner Co-Ordinator)

Contents

Dundee District Council, in partnership with the Youth Service of Tayside Regional Council, held a major youth consultation event in 1994, under the heading “Give Youth A Chance”. At that event, which was attended by over 800 young people, a number of strong themes emerged. Young people wanted to see an ice arena back in Dundee, to have sports facilities enhanced, and to have a place where they could access confidential information, particularly sexual health information. This clear signal was picked up by key elected members and there began a campaign to try and find a suitable location in the city centre for a confidential youth information point which would be very heavily influenced by young people in terms of its programme, its look and feel, and how the services it provided were developed. A core group of young people working with youth workers in the city spent six months identifying suitable properties; these suggestions were fed back to the Dundee District Council. Perhaps unsurprisingly, those who had city centre property on their books were looking for commercial rent and were not enthusiastic about the idea of giving over city centre high profile premises to a group of young people to deliver sexual health services! Political influence does, however, carry weight, and the voice of young people, combined with elected members who were prepared to challenge the old guard, led to the identification of three properties, each of which were scored and assessed, and eventually the decision was taken to lease the property at the corner of Exchange Street and Castle Street, below what was then the Pierre Victoire restaurant. The building was small, but it was strategically placed, it provided a level of anonymity and public accessibility. It was not on the main thoroughfare or right beside the bus station, but close enough to both. This same group of young people were then involved in working with us to develop a description of how this centre should look and feel, and helped in the shaping of a job description for a project leader. Funding for an administrator, 2 half time sexual health nurse posts,1 youth information worker and the project leader was secured, in a partnership involving Tayside Health Care NHS Trust and Tayside Regional Council Community Education Service. Early work involved trying to ensure that the conditions of service of staff coming from different professional backgrounds and organisations did not become an impediment to joint working and co-location. Things that we take for granted today were only possible then as a result of the enthusiasm and commitment of the key individuals. The next challenge was how to find someone who could take on board the development of the idea and turn it into reality. Applications came from youth workers, community education workers, and health promotion professionals. A panel of young people supported by project sponsors interviewed and recommended on the appointment and, as they say, the rest is history.... There are others who will describe that history from their first hand experience. What is not in any doubt is that the Corner was ground-breaking. It had to create its own policy framework, it developed a project approach in a way which became a model of mainstream service delivery, and not only has it been admired and copied widely, but it has helped tens of thousands of young people from Dundee and the city region. Many of these young people were in crisis and to say that the project has been a life-saver would be no exaggeration.

In the beginning..The Corner may be 21, but the story started 23 years ago.

by Stuart MurdochDirector - Leisure and Culture Dundee

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1992 - 1995

FIXED TERM FUNDING SECURED Premises found and altered & outreach work takes place across the city to raise awareness of the new service

Project Co-ordinator and staff were appointed and young people were involved in the recruitment process.

Establishing The CornerCITY WIDE CONSULTATION CONFIRMED THAT WHAT IS NEEDED IS A SERVICE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

SOMEWHERE SAFE & WELCOMING... SOMEONE TO TALK TO... CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE... CONTRACEPTION OPTIONS... INFORMATION TO MAKE CHOICES... TO BE INVOLVED IN DECISION MAKING

PROJECTTEMPORARILYCALLED H.I.P

Competition across the city for young people to name their new service

MARCH 1996THE CORNER OPENS AND HAS 8000 CONTACTS IN THE FIRST YEAR (12 – 25YRS)

Controversy in the press about the new service transforms into local support and encouragement for the service and the young people who access it

TRANSFERRING POLICY INTO PRACTICE, NEW PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL IS PRODUCED WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

1998 - 2000SERVICES EMBEDDED AND DEVELOPED. POLITICAL INTEREST NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY GROWS

A joint steering group was formed with Local Authority and Health board reps, linked with young peoples group.

POLICIES DEVELOPED BASED ON U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Young people trained to volunteer and age range changed to include 11 year olds in transition from primary to secondary school.

P3 P4All press articles featured in this edition are provided by DC Thomson.

During the start of the noughties The Corner engaged young people in developing new, short term funded projects that enabled information and support to be made available in a range of creative ways.

Sexual Health services continued to grow – now providing first issue combined oral contraceptives. The Corner started to share learning and ideas, leading seminars, and training. Mental health and Wellbeing started to emerge as a recurring focus for work with young people.

During this time Peer Education was established as an integral part of work with young people at The Corner resulting in a full time project being co-located with The Corner.

Developing Resources

YOUNG MEN’S WORKFocused on working with vulnerable young men including young homeless men to address issues such as self esteem, motivation, decision making and self confidence.

“TAPPING INTO THE FUTURE” This initiative aimed to target young people who were excluded or at risk of exclusion with the main focus of developing a pocket size guide that gave practical information on major issues such as homelessness, drugs and benefits”

“DISCOVERING YOUNG PEOPLE’S RIGHTS” SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE CORNER AND HELD AT DISCOVERY POINT - FOCUSING ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

2001

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SUMMER 2003STRESS BUSTEROutreach at The Shore provided opportunities for young people to get involved in various types of stress busting workshops and activities such as Indian head massage, Tai Chi and reflexology.

PEER EDUCATIONPROJECT GOESFULL TIME

THE ‘GETTING AHEAD START’ GAME DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, THE PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH TEAM.

Good Mental Health and WellbeingChoose life funded a six month pilot focusing on young people accessing The Corner for support around their mental health. The pilot aimed to investigate the reasons for and methods of responding to self harm/suicide. This expansion was due to increasing numbers of young people requesting support.

Also to meet demand, sexual health nurses begin providing first issue combined oral contraceptives within Drop In services.

2005

Eastern girls group at The Corner presented ‘Naheen the Noo’ meaning No No Not Just Now, drama & dance performance to raise cultural awareness of Arranged verses forced marriage.

ALL CHANGE AT THE CORNER Over the years the number of young people using The Corner’s Sexual Health Services had grown, this has led to delays in seeing young people at busy times.

In 2004/5, to improve access and the capacity to respond, the staff team and Management Group agreed that The Corner Drop-in needed to go through a process of physical change.

Young people were consulted before and after the refurbishment. The changes increased the ability to provide clinical services in the informal setting. Young people’s feedback was very positive both during and after refurbishments.

2004

The ‘Teenagers Uncovered’ leaflet was produced in consultation with young people. The leaflet aimed to help parents/carers understand how young people feel about talking to parents about sexual health.

TEENAGERS UNCOVERED

This report documents the work of The Corner from ‘02 - ‘03, which is the 7th full year of operation. The thrills and spills of a fair-ride are an appropriate analogy for the experiences at The Corner over that year.

2002 - 2003

TRENDS, MYTHS & REALITIES AT THE CORNER

A report commissioned from Public Health NHS Tayside did not make for comfortable reading and highlighted realities and local trends that corresponded with research nationally. The report raised concerns around behaviour and activities that impact on young people’s sexual health.

P8All press articles featured in this edition are provided by DC Thomson.

The latter part of this decade saw The Corner and young people’s achievements acknowledged from a variety of sources, both local and national.

In addition to the core peer education model, a sexual health pilot was funded which broadened the involvement of young people in sexual health and relationship education.

A national conference, ‘Responding to the Challenge’ focused on The Corner’s learning, from delivering services and young people’s involvement in shaping those services to meet their needs. This era saw Chlamydia testing introduced and nurse led sexual health services at The Corner.

Recognising Strengths

2006

THE CORNER INTRODUCED CHLAMYDIA TESTING TO THE DROP IN.

10 YEAR CELEBRATIONS10 year celebration of Corner Service delivery included a national conference - Responding to the Challenge, an exhibition of The Corner’s work over it’s first 10 years and a birthday celebration night. These events gave staff, partner agencies and young people the opportunity to reflect and look forward to the future.

INTRODUCTION OF SURVEY MONKEY - A KEY TOOL WHICH IS STILL USED FOR EVALUATING AND IMPROVING SERVICES

2007Peer Educators won a Dundee Partnership award in the Lifelong Learning Category.

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2008 THE CORNER RE-VIEW GROUP

The RE-View group was created to raise health service staff’s awareness of the needs, issues and barriers for young people accessing health services and to encourage young people friendly practice. The group expanded and undertook a peer review of Corner Services, which led to two areas of the Drop In being re-designed and decorated. The group received the following awards:

• YOUNG SCOT AWARD FOR HEALTH• DUNDEE PARTNERSHIP AWARD• EVENING TELEGRAPH AWARD

FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT/IMPROVEMENT

2007 UNFILTERED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

The Peer Education Project’s Media Group produced a series of images to highlight

young people’s perceptions of smoking and the effects it can have on your health.

This was a peer-led smoking prevention initiative, exploring health improvement

through creative arts.The exhibition was held at Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre.

HEALTH BUDDIES IN SCHOOLS (PEER LED SEXUAL HEALTH & RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION) COMMENCED IN 2 SCHOOLS IN DUNDEE.

DUNDEE PARTNERSHIP AWARDA Community Safety Award was given to the Peer Education Project in 2009 for a DVD created by peer educators to highlight and address the issue of internet safety. The film was called ‘Mousetrap’.

2009

The Peer Education Project also created ‘Grounded’ - a newsletter for peer educators which featured articles, reviews and project info.

VOLUNTEER ATTHE CORNER8 volunteers completed a 5 week training course to help prepare them for their role of supporting drop in and outreach services. The Corner also gained a Volunteer Friendly Award for their commitment to providing opportunities for further development.

MARCH 2010THE PEER EDUCATION PROJECT WON A GOLD COSLA AWARD FOR ‘TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITIES & IMPROVING HEALTH’.

DIANA CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

In 2010 The Health Buddies in Schools programme was awarded the Diana

Certificate of Excellence, acknowledging young people who work together in

groups to improve their communities.

WRITING TO REACH YOUIn 2010 The Peer Education Project created an educational resource inspired by the Scottish Government’s Drug Policy ‘Road to Recovery’. The project’s Photography Group received funding from The Dundee Alcohol & Drugs Partnership to produce a book of stories and images relating to substance misuse.

health campaigns

2006 - 2010

R U SAFE CAMPAIGNIn 2009 the Corner were trail blazing Online awareness with there campaign RUSAFE? This campaign addressed the risks involved in sharing information on line by raising awareness in terms of using social networks safely.

SEE WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOUA campaign to promote the range of services available in the city centre drop in facility and communities.

WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOTThis campaign was based on Alcohol and personal safety and the reality and risks of consuming alcohol to an excessive level

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Progressing ServicesThe new decade sees The Corner facing changing needs. Finding solutions to new challenges and continuing to pursue creative practice within the limitations that austerity brings – a new focus for the decade. Working in partnership and sharing resources has become crucial to providing diverse and relevant services.

Peer Education work adapts to become city wide, Linc contraception and sexual health clinic at Ninewells is established, a fixed term partnership with Addaction brings a drugs and alcohol specialism, securing an LGBT charter mark and establishing the Support U + counselling service have all depended on effective partnership working. Opportunities have grown with the establishment of the Clinical Nurse Specialist role to lead the development of enhanced sexual health services for 11 – 19 year olds.

In 2012 one of the key changes which took place was the integration of The Corner with Dundee Peer Education Project and Health Buddies in Schools. The Corner partnership agreed on the integration of these three services with the aim of maximising and continuing to offer broader services to young people by joining up resources.

Integration led to restructuring of staffing to agree roles and responsibilities; co-location within offices to create opportunities for multi-professional teams to learn and share skills with each other. A newly developed website was launched promoting a new logo which was created involving young people to celebrate integration.

Mental health & well being was the focus of a royal visit from HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge towards the end of 2015.

OPENING HOURS CHANGEAPRIL 2012

The opening hours of the drop in changed to 2 – 6pm Monday to Friday and 1-4pm on Saturdays to allow more time for young people to attend the drop in after the school day.

THE CORNER ALSO PRODUCED A FILM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, TO HELP INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO THE DROP IN SERVICE

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YOUNG ADDACTION PARTNERSHIP

Young Addaction initiative ran in partnership with The Corner providing

support and education to young people across the city around drugs and alcohol.

This invaluable service reached thousands of young people through outreach work in

schools and communities.

2012ESTABLISHMENT OF LINC CLINIC FOR YOUNG PEOPLELinc is a contraception and sexual health clinic in Ninewells for young people aged 18 and younger. It offers young people a full range of contraception and sexual health services with added support and advice from a multi-agency team.

Youth workers attend to welcome young people and help them feel more comfortable in the clinic, help with filling in forms and to talk to them about the clinical process.

2013

APRIL 2013

Having put together a portfolio of evidence, and working closely with LGBT Youth Scotland and the Allsorts Group, The Corner gained an LGBT Charter Mark in April 2013.

LGBT CHARTER MARK

The introduction of the Clinical Nurse Specialist role led the development and delivery of enhanced sexual health services at The Corner and in local communities.

Enhancing service provision within The Corner drop-in, provides a holistic and seamless journey to improve young people’s long term emotional and physical health outcomes.

In 2011 senior peer educators organised a summer event Peers in the Park to celebrate peer educator’s acheivements and the programme also delivered workshops to all P7’s across they city at the 3 week long Safetaysiders event.

In 2012 the project took around 100 peer educators on a weekend residential to Dalguise to further develop young people’s leadership & group work skills.

In 2013 The Peer Education Project became a city-wide programme called Healthy Transitions. This brought equity across the city, giving every young person in mainstream school the same opportunity to take part in this opportunity to apply to become a Peer Educator and for every Primary 7 pupil to receive a peer led programme.

2011 - 2013Peer Education 2014CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST

Support U+ PilotTo provide vulnerable young people access to specialist wellbeing support, giving them the space to understand and express their feelings whilst encouraging confidence in managing and balancing challenging life events.

Young Person Feedback:‘Support U+ helped me build my confidence. I feel more comfortable to be myself around people. How I felt changed because I had someone to speak about my problems. I feel like I am not a copy of myself anymore I can be me.’

ROYAL VISIT AT THE CORNER

The impact of changing the age has proven to be very positive. It has enabled staff to spend the time that the younger age group require, taking the time to meet all their identified needs.

On the 23rd of October 2015 staff and young people were delighted to welcome HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Drop in. The main focus of the Royal visit was the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

They learned about the health campaigns and resources used and developed at The Corner, and they also took part in an anti-bullying workshop run by Respect Me, Scotland’s Anti-bullying service.

AUGUST 2015THE CORNER CHANGES IT’S AGE RANGE TO WORK WITH 11-19 YEAR OLDS.

The project worked with geographic communities to explore community identity & encourage active participation to help build positive relationships between young people, their community and the local environment.

OOR WULLIE VISITED AS PART

OF THE 2016 BUCKET TRAIL!

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STATE ARTPROJECT

All press articles featured in this edition are provided by DC Thomson.

This year The Comer started a group for young parents. It runs on Tuesdays from 11.15am-12.45pm in the Drop In and all young parents are welcome to pop in for a chat with staff and take part in some child and parent friendly activities.

A Peer Education reunion was held at the Shore on Wednesday 26th April 2017. It was a fantastic evening catching up with everyone. It brought back fond memories of all the different year groups.

PEER EDUCATION REUNION CORNER YOUNG PARENT’SGROUP

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Our 21st Year !8 Health & Wellbeing workers, managed by The Corner, are now based in secondary schools. Their aim is to provide early intervention primarily for S1 & S2 pupils with anxiety issues, to improve attendance and attainment levels.

There has been 100+ referrals from September to November 2017.

AIM FOR SCHOOLS

THE CORNER TOOK PART IN DOORS OPEN DAY IN SEPTEMBER, SHOWING THE PUBLIC THE WORK WE DO AND PROMOTING THE SERVICE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY.Day 2017

LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD - THE CORNER WINDOWS IN 2017 HIGHLIGHTED HOT TOPICS OVER THE PAST 21 YEARS.

Doors Open

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CORNER BILLBOARD LAUNCH To celebrate the service’s 21st birthday, The Corner created a series of artworks highlighting the stories and comments made by young people, parents & partners over the past 21 years.

The billboards are being displayed in Slessor Gardens and include images of Dundee & young people as well as large numbers to highlight how many young people have had contact with the service since it opened in 1996. The large numbers are an account of the number of young people that have accessed the service over its life in the city…243,861…so far!

During worldwide brain injury awareness month in March 2017 The Corner, in partnership with the Centre for Brain Injury Rehabilitation service and supported by Dundee City Council’s Youth Work department, launched its newly developed resources “Keeping (a)head” film and “Puzzled About The Brain” Jigsaw game at an event in The Shore.

BRAIN INJURY RESO

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The team were presented with a silver COSLA Excellence Award for its Support U+ service, a youth counselling service which allows young people to talk openly about their feelings and be listened to.

COSLA Excellence Awards are presented to services that are transforming lives in communities across Scotland. The Corner was recognised as setting new standards of good practice in the ‘Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health’ category.

COSLA EXCELLENCE AWARDS

‘DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES THROUGH LEARNING’ 2017 saw the publication of ‘Developing Communities Through Learning’ which includes a chapter written by Deborah Syme and Fiona McGrath, members of the Corner team. The chapter offers a perspective of the ethos and changing practice at The Corner in Dundee.

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Next Steps

The Corner is funded in partnership with NHS Tayside and Dundee City Council.

Corner Co-ordinator Manjeet GillHealth Services Link Worker Fiona McGrathHealth Promotion Worker Gary FinlaysonHealth Promotion Worker P/T Kate WattHealth Promotion Worker P/T Amy MillerHealth Outreach Worker Caroline MillarClinical Nurse Specialist Deborah SymeSenior Sexual Health Nurse Lisa CameronSenior Sexual Health Nurse P/T Jackie FitzpatrickSexual Health Nurse Zara Cargill

Sexual Health Nurse P/T Kim McCormack Admin Assistant P/T Shelley Doig (Acting)Clerical Assistant P/T Linda MorrisonPeer-led CLD Worker Christine GreigPeer-led CLD Worker Jane DuthiePeer-led CLD Worker Fiona MackPeer-led CLD Worker P/T Gillian DochertyPeer-led CLD Worker (media) P/T Laura CooneyHealth Improvement Officer Leigh GlennieCLD Vacancy P/T

Corner Staff Team

The Corner is funded by Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership.

We hope you have enjoyed our Corner Angle 21st issue, looking back over the years and our journey so far!

In 2018 further new developments and partnerships will include:

• Year of Young People (YOYP) to involve & support young people to celebrate their personal acheivements.

• Develop and monitor progress of Aim For Schools partnership work• Extended sexual health services - Nurse Medical prescribing/supporting STI

results/treatment.• Corner in Local Community: Develop outreach service provision by engaging

and including young people and partner agencies.• Continue investing in CPD opportunities for staff to support growing needs of

young people through Drop-In services.• Responding positively to challenging financial climate by adapting/creating

new opportunities for young people through working in collaboration with partner agencies.

Manjeet GillCorner Co-ordinator

Drop In HoursMonday 2.00 - 6.00pmTuesday 2.00 - 6.00pmWednesday 2.00 - 6.00pmThursday 2.00 - 6.00pmFriday 2.00 - 6.00pmSaturday 1.00 - 4.00pm

Office Hours9.00am - 5.00pmMonday to Friday

Social MediaTwitter: @thecornerdundeeFacebook: thecornerdundee

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P20All press articles featured in this edition are provided by DC Thomson.