Reaching Out Project
Local third sector organisations (young people focussed) had been exploring for some time how they could work together to develop comprehensive and impacting programmes for young people residing in the North East area of the city. The ‘Reaching Out Too Project’ funded by Leeds City Council PAYP brought together up to 16 staff from four local organisations. Members had a professional understanding of each others service aims and objectives however the need for those services to work more closely together became increasingly evident as partners believed that local strategy forums appeared to overlook the wealth of knowledge and expertise entwined in local communities and a possible way forward was for us to embark on a joint project.
The original partners who formed the ‘Reaching Out Too’ project were Leeds Reach, Chapeltown Nacro YIP’s and CYP 10-2 club.
Although the project involved other services it was those founder members that helped to create and deliver the outcomes whilst also building on these successes to help sustain additional programmes of work and cross service partnerships. The project focussed on the following key elements:
- Engaging young people accessing our services in educational workshops sessions which would include Negative gangs, Conflict resolution, Choice & Consequence and de-escalation techniques. The workshops (if applicable) could be accredited.
- Staff training
- ’Mentoring support
- North East VCFS collaboration and possibly develop a operational/strategic ‘think tank’
- Residential experiences for young people
- Increased/improved self esteem and confidence
- Positive young role models
- Support the development of local VCFS cross service training
- Improve ‘youth engagement ‘
- Increased local third sector involvement in strategic development.
- The partnership would help to prevent project duplication and repartition.
