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Takeover Day 2009

Takeover Oxfordshire flyer

Takeover Day was a chance for the 11 million children and young people in England to enter the adult-run world of businesses and organizations and ‘Takeover’ for a day. All children and young people could take part, and choose how they did it.

"I am up on my heels and today they are high heels" - Marie Biston on taking over an OCC Full Council Meeting

Takeover is flourishing and this was it's 3rd year. Oxfordshire has been incredibly active in taking up the opportunity offered by this national day initiated by 11 Million; the office for the Children's Rights Commissioner.We promised a brighter and shinier Takeover for 2009 and we delivered! Congratulations to all who took part (and to those who have been inspired and are already making plans for 2010!) There was a fantastic range of Takeovers and we were impressed with their diversity and depth.

For the first time for Oxfordshire Takeovers happened not just on the Friday but throughout the week. Read the report (pdf, 1.26MB).

Oxfordshire Takeover Film

What happened in a week of Takeovers

A collection of photos taken during Takeover Week. Click on an image to enlarge.

 

'What You Said...What We Did' (pdf, 419 KB) - Children's Rights in Oxfordshire: A new publication was released for Takeover Day - a round up of news and feedback on how C&YP's voices have been asked for, listened to and acted on.

 Friday 30th October 

2 Oxfordshire young people took over part of National Leaving Care Advisory (NCAS) forum in London.
Children in Care Council chaired and organised their own meeting to input into the Children and Young People's Plan for Oxfordshire 2010 - 2013.

Monday 2nd November 

Two young people took over research roles from Loughborough university and made telephone surveys as part of  national peer evaluation of Right 2B Cared

Young people took over part of the Speech and Language Therapy budget. Young people decided on toys and games for the service 

Oxford City Council - Young people presented a motion at a full Oxford City Council meeting: a request to establish an Oxford City Youth Council.   ‘Turn it up’, a film about children’s rights by young film maker Karim Khan, was screened during the council meeting

Tuesday 3rd November

Oxfordshire County Council, Full council meeting - 17 year old Marie Biston opened the meeting with news of Takeover Day, and MyView (Oxfordshire Youth Parliament) member Francessca Ignall answered questions in place of Louise Chapman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People 

Success Conference Planning - Jan Paine (Head of Service for South for Oxfordshire County Council)  stepped back and let young people work out details for a conference on getting education right for all children and young people.

Wednesday 4th November

Grimsbury Youth Club, Banbury  - Youth Worker Karyn Workman passed the keys to young people and let them run the show, she and colleagues watched and learnt!

Thursday 5th November

Helen and Douglas House - the Chief Executive of Helen and Douglas House (respite and hospice care for children and young people) was shadowed by children and young people. The young people helped conduct an environmental awareness check to ensure that the premises were not wasting energy and work alongside staff from the office, kitchen and maintenance team to keep the House in good order!

Transport Summit with Oxfordshire bus companies - young people including UK Youth Parliament elected members met with bus planners and bus companies to present their views and ask questions on young people's bus passes, access to transport, availability of buses, suitability of buses for young people with disabilities, and safety on buses. Film coverage of event is available below

 

Friday 6th November 

North Oxfordshire Academy in Banbury saw students take over for the day

Oxford Fire & Rescue Service - Year 6 children from Woodstock Primary used new computer hardware to create an internet safety scenario for the Fire Service

Pegasus Theatre launched their volunteering scheme 'we run the place' giving 10 places to children and young people to work with Pegasus staff in governance, fundraising, programming and marketing. They worked on planning future shows, leading tours of the building redevelopment site, applying for funding for projects, making management decisions and more! 

OYT Theatre Company - young people all aged between 14 and 19 toured their own performance, Walking On Eggshells, to local schools and led drama workshops on the effects of family separation on young people. They planned, led and evaluated the sessions

As if that wasn’t enough, in the evening the Members’ Committee (aged from 10 years upwards) met (as they do every month) to make decisions and give their input in all matters Pegasus.  Find out more from Rob Elkins by phone (01865 792209) or email rob.elkins@pegasustheatre.org.uk

Oxfordshire Play Association - 4 children from a local Cowley school came to the office to compile and produce a newsletter.  "Play Rangers" play professionals had their jobs taken over in West Oxfordshire. To round it off, the preparation for a delivery of a seminar at the Regional Play England was also taken over by young people

VIP Lunch with High Sheriff Richard Dick - young people presented a round up of the week's Takeovers at a VIP lunch hosted by High Sheriff Richard Dick

South and Vale District Council  - a training event was led by C&YP at the NET Youth Centre, Abingdon. Young people from SODC's Young People’s Panel and the Vale’s Youth Cabinet led a session for councilors and staff  including “An Introduction to Children’s Rights”

Read the Vale Youth Forum's feedback on Takeover Day and their report on what happened.

Connexions Oxfordshire - young people shaped plans for the new reception area at Witney Connexions Centre

YiPpEe (Young Peoples Executive) at Oxford Children’s Hospital - YiPpEe! wanted to highlight their Health Promotion Strategy, and Takeover Day was the perfect opportunity. YiPpEe! presented the Health Promotion work and poster to School and Hospital Head Representatives. YIPpEe! planned and ran games and activities for the patients on all of the wards promoting healthy eating and exercise .YiPpEe! also hosted a Tea Party for potential new members to join them.

Government Office for South East - 7 young people from Oxfordshire joined a group of 18 other young people to present and discuss topics important to them, including corporate parenting for C&YP in care and what makes communities strong.

Bill Heine BBC Radio  - 4 young people Chris, James, Kelly and Francesca presented their views on air and talked about Takeover Day. They have been asked to come back in a few weeks to follow up on the Take Overs.

Thames Valley Police HQ - young people from Gosford Hill School spent a varied day at the HQ with opportunities to ask questions to an Assistant Chief Constable, to find and assist with the development of their 'Youth Matters' website and Youth Strategy.

2008 Takeover Film

Watch our film about Takeover Day 2008, and check out the new film which features Oxfordshire children and young people (C&YP) 11 Million website.

Find out more

For more information on Takeover Day contact Zoe Elford, Children's Rights and Involvement Co-ordinator on (01865) 256681 or email zoe.elford@oxfordshire.gov.uk

 

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