News

Anne Weinstock explains how Connexions’ mission parameters are very much in the hands of young people themselves.

Connexions looks to give young people advice, guidance and chances to develop in a way that has never happened before. And listening to young people explain what their needs are is at the core of the service and its development. It is essential for Connexions’ success that young people have the opportunity to voice their opinions and that we in turn really listen to them and act upon their ideas on how it should be delivered and what it should offer.

Connexions partnerships involve young people as much as they possibly can in the decision-making and evolution of their local service. For example, 80 young people were recently the focus of a Connexions youth charter day in Hertfordshire to give their opinions on what the priorities for the service in their area should be.

Young people are even involved in recruitment panels for personal advisers and senior managers in partnerships. Before the panels, they are given training so that they can play a part in all recruitment decisions.

Ivan Lewis, minister for young people and learning, recently visited a Connexions centre in Boston, Lincolnshire, and was impressed by the Opos (Our Place Our Space) centre. Over 100 teenagers were heavily involved in setting up this centre and helped decide everything from the type of services that should be offered to the building’s furniture and fittings. This high level of involvement is at the core of the Connexions philosophy.

Our aim is to ensure that every young person has access to support, advice and personal development opportunities through one integrated point of contact. We are sure this is what young people want because they have played such a pivotal role in the development of the service. Above all, it is vital that young people are consulted on the services that affect them.

Anne Weinstock is chief executive of Connexions National Service Unit.

Go east, young people’s minister

Ivan Lewis, minister for young people and learning, heard about housing problems and other concerns for young people in east London when he visited East London Connexions to hear the views of local young people involved in the partnership.

Lewis, joined by national Connexions head Anne Weinstock,  met young people who have played an integral part in the creation and planning of their local partnership.

Lewis said: “I was particularly interested in the Young People’s Charter. This and my discussion with the young people highlighted many issues, including housing problems, which they face.” Connexions London East was launched in April 2002, along with 11 other regional partnerships, as part of phase two of the national roll-out of the service. Connexions is available in 27 regions. This will extend to all 47 regions in England by April 2003.

Young fire fighters of lakeland

Young Fire Fighters in Cumbria, sponsored by Connexions Cumbria, were involved in a practical display of their skills recently when chairperson of Cumbria Council, Bob Edgar, presented young people with certificates to mark the birth of the county’s newest youth organisation.

Connexions Cumbria, the county fire service and the Allerdale committee of the council have worked together to create the scheme. Connexions Cumbria also sponsored the training programme, which has helped to make the necessary changes to the fire

station to accommodate the young people.

Personal advisers from Connexions Cumbria have worked closely with local schools to identify young people who would benefit most from involvement in the scheme, and have supported young people throughout the delivery of the programme. The training aims to provide participants with an enhanced sense of discipline and purpose. As part of the programme, young people receive a theory test for the driving examination, first aid qualifications, and National Vocational Qualifications. There are now plans to set up a network of young fire-fighter groups throughout the county.

Exam help spreads

Connexions partnerships in Cornwall & Devon, Cumbria, Lincolnshire & Rutland, and Suffolk have launched a series of advice columns in local newspapers to extend the reach of their services and help support young people during exam time. Local newspapers are running a regular column written by a local personal adviser to offer advice on subjects such as coping with revision and stress. People can get a response either privately from the personal adviser or via the newspaper column. The Connexions advice columns will appear weekly in the Torquay Herald Express, Barrow Evening Mail, Lincolnshire Echo and East Anglian Daily Times until the end of June.