Baza danych projektów PROW

An innovative youth project, providing practical training, support & guidance to young people, giving them direct experience of managing and working in a youth bar, developing new skills and opportunity for future employment opportunities

The success of the Girvan Youth Trust’s voluntary youth work has been founded upon the ethos that young people in rural communities have the unique ability to grow, learn and socialise with their peers. Following the opening of the Z1 youth bar facility, the Trust approached LEADER to fund the support of young people to take ownership and a proactive role in the managerial operations of their facility.

The Operational Management Team (OMT) project aimed to engage and employ young people, aged 14 years and upwards, including school pupils and unemployed youths. The project established a "rolling programme" of peer group management. This approach was used to promote and operate a youth-owned and friendly, safe environment which could proactively tackle the growing issue of alcohol and drug misuse and other local issues.

The main focus of activities clustered around the operation and management of the 'Z1 Youth Bar' facility by young people. The participants worked ten hours per week. This included six hours bar/counter management duties organising: ordering stock, managing peer group volunteers, setting up staff rotas, securing entertainers, budget control and ensuring the Z1 bar ran smoothly. There were also four hours training in food hygiene, first aid, mixology and team building sessions.

The OMT project has provided a genuine opportunity for young people to receive appropriate training, support and guidance that will enable them to develop and enhance their skills and increase their long term employment opportunities. In addition to embracing youth empowerment, the initiative has also generated a positive interest amongst local employers, including the world-famous Turnberry Hotel, where a number of participants have since been able to secure part-time work.

Creating a safe environment,where work-based interaction of young people of different levels of personal intellect, potential, skills and family/social backgrounds is possible. The ability to provide "temporary income" whilst also enhancing the learning opportunities and employability of local young people is critical. Such community-based capacity building and youth empowerment can make a real difference in isolated rural communities.

Ayrshire

Scotland

Scotland

141 609

70 804

Sarah Baird

sarah.baird@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

+44 1292 673 765

English