YEP lead the way with youth engagement

Published by Becki Ord for IPB Communications in Housing and also in Communities

YOUNG people from across Salford gathered for the inaugural Youth Empowerment Panel (YEP) Conference earlier this month – to celebrate success and recruit new members.

YEP provides a voice to local young people aged 13 to 24 years old who are connected to City West Housing Trust.

The event, held at Elm Bank in Eccles, was organised by the young members who decided where the event should be held, what activities should be included and who should take part.

They worked with partner agencies, including Salford City Council, Connexions, Greater Manchester Police and City West, to hold a series of workshops on issues relevant to young people including anti-social behaviour and alcohol and risk taking. Local DJ Darren Goulden also provided free lessons to budding DJs.

Since its launch just over a year ago, YEP has set up the SYD (Salford Youth Discussion) Facebook page. SYD uses social media to engage with young people inSalfordto stimulate debate, share ideas and become a positive arena for discussion. It also allows young people to find out about job opportunities, health and welfare issues and how to get involved in their local community.

YEP has also secured funding from City West’s Local Area Panels to attend a developmental weekend away in North Wales in July to enhance members’ team building skills, problem solving and knowledge of City West.

The young people have shared City West’s innovative approach to youth engagement with others in the social housing sector through attending and presenting at events including the recent TPAS conference in Birmingham in July.

Matt Jones, Assistant Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods for City West Housing Trust said: “YEP has achieved a considerable amount so far and the conference provided a fun and relaxed way for the young people to look back at an incredible year, take part in a number of workshops dealing with issues that affect young people and encourage new members to join.

“It is hoped that by forming these links we will continue to widen our youth engagement network, which is going from strength to strength, and also inspire young people to consider a career in social housing.”