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Young people power!
It's a fact! Engaging young people is good for everyone. A new report commissioned by the Local Government Group and National Youth Agency this year shows that involving young people in decision-making, positive activities and volunteering makes a better society.
The report, called 'Valuing Young Voices, Strengthening Democracy' shows that involving young people:
- changes the way adults make important decisions affecting young people
- changes adults' approach and attitudes towards young people themselves
- saves money - for young people and Councils
- improves services for young people by making them more responsive to what young people really want and need
The report also shows that the benefits for young people are:
- more confidence
- better personal and social skills
- knowing more about politics (political literacy)
- better communication skills
- understanding how you can have an affect on the world around you
- a more supportive community life as a result of getting involved
The report is based on evidence from a range of organisations and the research was gathered by adults and a young person who work with the National Youth Agency. It features the voices of young people who filled in questionnaires and talked in a focus group about their experiences of participation. One young person said that meeting his mentor helped him change his behaviour at home and school, and led to him voting in the election in 2010.
Other young people said:
“I was excited about being in a group that ‘did’ things productively, other than just sitting around waiting for things to happen; we make these things happen…being in the group gives me a way to do some good in the area.” Jonah (15 yrs)
“Volunteering developed me as a person, and instead of now thinking small, I can now think big… it has given me a purpose in life” (Zak, 18yrs)
So why not give it a go yourself? Have a look at lots of ways you could get involved right now.
Downloads
Read the summary report 'Valuing Voices, Strengthening Democracy' (.pdf, 361KB).
Further information
You can contact the National Youth Agency (NYA) for more information about this report by calling them on (0116) 242 7350 or visit the contact page on their website http://www.nya.org.uk/contact-nya.
BigVoiceOxfordshire.com
