The wider learning concludes the first year evaluation by reflecting on the value, achievements and learning for both funders and partner organisations in future planning.
Good value
Data on outcomes demonstrates that there is much to celebrate from year one. In particular all partners have managed to expand their existing provision and reached out to new areas.
Young people taking part in the new locations already recognise the benefits of taking part. Building on evidence of achievements and awards, it looks like many of the new participants are set to gain much more as they continue on their journey with their local youth provider.
Perth City has the lowest return on investment in year one.
Organisations noticed that their profile is being raised locally, with more local volunteers and supporters getting behind them. Funding is being levered in, with new funders having confidence in the universal work being evidenced.
What clearly works is that investment in universal youth work provides a scaffolding from which to build other forms of youth work and investment.
Regardless of previous success, organisations identified areas where they are weaker and use the funding to boost them. Strengths for most partners lie in serving young people in their transition from primary into secondary school. YMCA has a track record in targeted work with mainly older teenagers.
The EPYA has had difficulties with coordination and reporting, but has had the opportunity to test out different ways of delivering the universal youth work contract. This requires further refinement to focus on the universal element, but may offer a model for other areas to adopt as they widen their reach in their own localities.
Achievements
This longer-term investment has allowed organisations to achieve increased reach; extended hours and additional days - moving into later evenings and weekends. Good progress is being made by reaching out to new locations with positive responses from local communities. This is made possible through the recruitment of new workers and volunteers. YMCA has more to do in Perth City to catch up with the pace set by other organisations in the first year.
A significant achievement is that the partners came together to bid jointly for the targeted CashBack for Communities fund and secured the full allocation for the area. This approach can be built on going forward.
Learning
Sharing learning and experiences is proving fruitful to partners. The observation visits gave organisations a chance to observe their peers in action with ideas adopted to their own team and youth work practice.
There is scope to consider ways to share policy and management practices which will require more development as organisations continue to flourish.
Dealing with the weaknesses and threats identified are important in the first year, in order to build on strengths and capitalise on the opportunities. This will strengthen trust between partners and in garner support for the outcomes that all youth organisations are required to achieve. Therefore, developing ways to mitigate risks whilst building capacity is vital to longer-term success.
With organisations taking an active interest in young people that are not yet engaged in their services, it was agreed at a partnership meeting that profiling young people across Perth and Kinross will be the focus for year two. It is hoped that young people will be trained and supported to support this work. Further opportunities exist in joint bids once clear shared goals are defined. A joint youth event and youth work programme for Perth and Kinross are also possibilities afforded by this approach in the years ahead.
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