For Logos one of the highs from the lockdown was having to convert to digital and online delivery, mainly because of the skills staff developed. At the same time Logos managed to push ahead with leasing premises in Auchterarder and this new hub is now open. They have also established a Duke of Edinburgh's Award group there and are forging stronger relationships with the school's senior management team. Staff praised the volunteers for managing to recruit new candidates, despite all the stops and starts throughout the year.
Indeed a sense of acheivement came from managing to run successful P7 to S1 transition sessions in both Crieff and Auchterarder.
Detached work in Crieff on Friday nights also re-started in the third quarter of year two, as workers wrote:
"These have become a highlight for both the young people and the staff and volunteers involved as there was such positive engagement. The local community police officers were aware of the sessions and would stop for a chat with staff and the young people who were in the Square. It goes to show that Hot Chocolate is a great youth work tool."
Furthermore Perth and Kinross Councill added their support by providing youth workers so that the detached work runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reflecting on the year, Logos affirmed the importance of funding universal youth work:
"We think there’s still a big push [from most funders] to fund targeted youth work and not enough attention paid to the importance of providing that safe space that allows relationship to grow and strengthen. This is how services become youth led. It is in these spaces that young people will bring things up, that workers will listen to and if relevant and appropriate respond to. An example would be instead of demanding young people do awards we will nurture and encourage them to achieve awards."
Logos gave an example of how a 'mind space' girls group evolved from a conversation that came up whilst having tea and sitting with them playing cards. By firstly providing the safe space as part of universal youth work, youth workers use their skills to be alert, engage in dialogue and listen carefully to what young people are saying so that they can recognise 'signals' or warning signs of when additional focus or support is needed.
This became more poignant when a local young man tragically died. In response, Logos were invited to be part of the multi-agency support team.
"Being part of the UYW partnership has brought with it many benefits, including joint working, sharing ideas and support through difficult times, and successful funding applications. We can only get stronger if we work together."
LOGOS ADVOCATES FOR SAFE SPACE