Youth Engagement Team
As part of FARE’s Community Support and Development team, the Community Engagement Team deliver a range of high quality youth engagement programmes within the communities FARE serves. This involve working in partnership with various third sector, statutory organisations and local schools within FARE’s areas of responsibility. The team deliver a range of joint and needs identified activities as well as issue based group-work sessions (StreetwYze) within Glasgow East secondary schools.
The StreetwYze programmes runs for 12-weeks with the aim to raise young people’s awareness on risky behaviours surrounding them such as the short and long term implications of involvement in gang violence, knife crime, anti-social behaviour, substance misuse and the dangers/impact of social media. We work with young people to provide a range of diversionary activities chosen by young people.
This is all done with the aim of improving their confidence, supporting them to overcome any barriers they face, and encourage reengagement with positive destinations e.g. learning, employability, youth activities. Giving them the best opportunity to reach their true potential.
Case Study
This is a 14-year-old young person who has been at secondary school for over two years now. He lives at home with his single parent Mum and no other family support as they all live in Poland. Previous to our StreetwYze program Person A had been taken home by the police for vandalism, destruction of private property and was let off with a caution, he has been taken home by police for being intoxicated through drinking alcohol underage on numerous occasions in a public area and at times experimented with cannabis. Because of his behaviour, Person A was at risk of his Mum moving him back to Poland. His Mum has been trying to support them both and works hard , unfortunately because Mum works a lot in the evenings, it is difficult for her to keep a close eye on his actions. Person A has reflected well on his previous actions and has come to realize the dangers that he has put himself and others under. Since the StreetwYze program ended he has stopped drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis, however he does still vape. Person A is now engaging well in continued group work and has been supporting other young people to make sensible choices as a mentor for other youths who have still to overcome their risk-taking behaviour mainly when he is out on the weekends.
He has built relationships with friends and was doing well in school. Person A is a clever young person who has great potential if he applies himself and with guidance and support, he could really make something of his life. Person A has also made some personal disclosures and is now receiving 1;1 support and counselling once a week in school. As a youth worker knowing this young person before and afterwards Person A is now much more respective to supports due to the intervention from the StreetwYze program and is now a positive role model for his peers.
