National Youth Reference Group

Youth Talks Event 2014

Stand Up – Sit Down !

It’s All About You! YouYou

You

YouYou

YouYou

YouYouYou

• The National Youth Reference Group is made up of young people aged 16-25 from England, who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness.

• The project has been set up and supported by The Department for Communities and Local Government.

• The group is available to assist National and Local Government and homeless agencies and councils to improve involvement opportunities for young people.

About us …..

Membership

• Delivered x 200 Conferences, training sessions, workshops and consultations – across England

• Produced x4 ‘National Tool Kits’ – which have been developed into interactive workshops and delivered to professionals in Housing, Health, Employment and Education – called ‘Getting It Right For Young People’

• Presented at the European Parliament during 2011 – as part of International Tenants Day

• Delivered a National Youth-led conference to 157 delegates on 17 May 2012 and assessed the ‘impacts’

NYRG a few highlights

National Youth Reference Group

Pay ahead stay ahead

National Youth Reference Group

Pay ahead stay ahead

MONEY

MONEY

MONEY

PAY AHEAD STAY AHEAD

• PASA• 3 year program aimed at improving the

financial confidence of 16-24 yr olds in Birmingham area

• Ashram funded by Big Lottery Birmingham• NYRG Involvement – consultations, young

peoples training, staff training, promotional workshops

PROVIDE QUALITY TRAINING WORKSHOPS

National Youth Reference Group

Pay ahead stay ahead

http://youtu.be/lEA-uqzI2G0

National Youth Reference Group

Youth Homeless Parliament

http://youtu.be/mIQCD0koKeg

National Youth Reference Group

Youth Homeless Parliament • The National Youth Homeless Parliament WORKING IN Partnership

– YMCA England– Centrepoint– St Basils– Foyer Federation– Crisis– National Youth Reference Group– St Mungo’s– DePaul UK– Forum Housing

• Training program to all National Youth Reference Group and Youth Homeless Parliament Members

• National Steering Group• Membership 100 young people• The Main Event - December

National Youth Reference Group

Youth Homeless Parliament MPs and Ministers are able to;

• Capture young people’s perspective on existing services.

• Take advise on the development of strategies to prevent and tackle homelessness and achieve sustainable outcomes in adult life

• Consult on how to engage young people locally in developing and monitoring Government, Policies and in managing and delivering strategies and services.

• We can improve your service – by giving views so that you make your services relevant – this saves money !

• We can influence professionals – changing hearts and minds ‘stuff’• We can develop opportunities for other young people• We can tell ‘real’ stories of our experiences• We are passionate about being involved• We can reduce our own feeling of isolation• We can meet new people and make new friends• We can break down the negative attitudes towards young homeless people• We can develop our communication, teambuilding skills and self esteem• We can experiences new things • We can feel motivated and challenged• We can get involved in other external opportunities such as local

neighbourhood groups, Boards and community initiatives

Why Involve Young People?

1. Take risks and involve us

2. Find out how we want to be involved

3. Be creative and flexible

4. Be prepared to listen to us

5. If our involvement does not work - don’t give up on us – try again

NYRG TOP TEN

6. Use as many forms of communication as possible

7. Feedback is the key to ‘successful’ Involvement – let us know the outcome of our feedback

8. Young people need to see the IMPACT of their involvement

9. Value our involvement – expenses, qualifications, references, CV, etc

10.REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW

NYRG TOP TEN

Telling it straight

Young people experiences

Q&A

One thing I am going to take awayand do as a result of today is…

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It’s the little things that make a difference

Getting it Right for Young People