Launch of the South Ayrshire Youth Strategy
The launch of the South Ayrshire Youth Strategy 'Investing in Young People' was launched at Ayr Town Hall. Master of Ceremonies for the event was Erin Norris the Chair of South Ayrshire’s Youth Forum.
The event was a celebration of the talents and skills of young people with performances and displays of artwork by pupils of South Ayrshire Secondary Schools.
Ayr Town Hall was filled with young people and invited guests. A range of voluntary and public sector organisations provided information on what was available for young people.
Councillor John Hampton, the Council's Youth Champion spoke at the launch of the South Ayrshire Youth Strategy, he said: "The Council recognise that through getting involved in activities outside of school or work, young people can be helped to become the best that they can be. Young people should be able to benefit from youth work opportunities that make a real difference to their lives and have opportunity to have a voice and influence decisions that affect their lives.
"Through this strategy the Council is showing its commitment to invest in young people, to listen to them, harness their enthusiasm and use our resources in the best way that we can. We must provide services that are really going to benefit young people and not provide what we as adults think is needed."
The Strategy focuses on young people between the ages of 11 and 19 years, with a particular emphasis on the change from child to adult, leaving school and going to work, training or further education.
It sets out a vision and outcomes which confirm clear values and priorities, linking to Community Planning and Integrated Children's Services and recognises the major part youth work and related youth services play in providing life enhancing experiences for children and young people. It will form an integral part of what South Ayrshire provides for young people across a range of areas such as children's services, school education, post school education and training.
As well as enhancing the lives of young people from all backgrounds, universal and targeted youth work opportunities can have an early intervention and prevention role. This strategy identifies the investment in youth services as having long-term benefits for the individual, community, society and the Council budget.
Young people have been involved in contributing to the strategy, and their continued involvement is essential if we are to be able to design and deliver services, which make a real difference to their lives.
Local Youth Action Plans will now be developed to highlight need and identify resources in each local area. This will be done by involving young people, to listen to what they have to say, to work with them in partnership to build on existing services and provision, and to develop new opportunities for young people.