Being a recipient of the Universal Youth Work tender has been beneficial to us in many ways. For example, it has provided us with secure funding that was consistently there for our organisation across the last 2 years. It has also provided many opportunities for team training and regular meetings that have allowed for communication between youth work partners across the area.
There is one story of a young person that suffered from anxiety. They had received a lot of support from SCYD, however part of the behaviour pattern was to approach other services for support that was already being provided.
Quite recently in 2020, a team member from KYTHE, had contacted SCYD. They had mentioned that they had a young person call them asking for some support and they wanted us to know as she was from our area and she had mentioned that she used SCYD services. It was the same young person SCYD were already supporting. In comparing stories, it emerged that some of the information being given didn't match.
This led to SCYD getting in touch with the young person’s Mum to explain what was happening. The young person's Mum gave a clearer insight into the context. This helped SCYD to better understand the situation and provide the right support for the young person.
It is unlikely that this case would have developed in the same way if the relationships between partners had not formed through the Universal Youth Work Partnership.
Below is feedback from Elizabeth Douglas, Newhill Primary School:
"Newhill Primary School have been very fortunate to work with our SCYD colleagues during this last unprecedented academic year. SCYD colleagues have supported the mental health and wellbeing of our young people from Primaries 6 and 7 during both lockdowns with a range of opportunities to attend on-line clubs, quizzes and many other events. These events encourage our young people to develop new and existing skills and increases their self-confidence.
Informal and formal feedback from pupils and parents have indicated that this support was invaluable to a number of our pupils who felt very isolated from friends during the two lockdowns.
When partner agencies were able to visit school settings, SCYD's colleagues supported our school community in a range of ways. Through whole school assemblies where school values were reinforced, positive mental health themes highlighted and 1:1 mentor support provided.
These supports are invaluable to identified young people who may be on the verge of disengaging with formal education. Our SCYD colleagues provide an invaluable resource in the Blairgowrie area for young people and their families. The support within school, through lunch time clubs and after school activities, helps with the development of positive relationships and reinforces our school respect agenda.
Our young people respond very positively to the safe and secure environment provided by Wellmeadow House.
I positively endorse the work carried out by our SCYD colleagues and very much look forward to getting back to in school visits where our colleagues can continue the excellent work already established and make new positive, relationships with yet another group of young people."
SCYD's SHARING OF INFORMATION AND STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK