Children and young people are an integral part of our vision for active and sustainable communities in which everyone is valued and can play their full part. However, we recognise that children, young people and community organisations working with children and young people have specific needs and challenges that must be addressed in order to achieve this vision.
As part of our mission to build the capacity of community organisations, Community Matters Youth at the Centre Programme aims to:
- Improve and increase the engagement of young people in community organisations;
- Improve and increase the capacity of community organisations to provide services, support and information for children, young people and families;
- Advocate for children and young people within the community sector at a national and local level.
How is the programme carried out?
Funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Youth at the Centre programme has the following strands:
- Working with Community Organisations directly - one-to-one capacity building sessions and group workshops provide support, advice and/or information for community organisations on a range of subjects depending on the organisations needs. These are available, often free, to all community organisations - to request support, click here;
- Publications - regular features in Community Matters e-newsletter, Community Magazine, other publications, and our information sheets provide community organisations with information on new and relevant funding opportunities, policy updates, legal and regulatory changes, and a means for sharing best practice. These publications also offer a means for requesting consultations and offering feedback on consultations;
- Advocacy and Policy - independently and through the Community Sector Partnership for Children and Young People we represent members and the community sector by working with the Department for Children, Schools and Families, it's agencies, and other departments at central and local government to inform policy. We also provide feedback on Government consultations to our members.
- Partnership - In addition to our other partnerships, Community Matters is also a part of the Community Sector Partnership for Children and Young People (CSPCYP). The CSPCYP is a national strategic partnership that aims to influence children and young people's policy and practice agendas -see more.
Click here for a leaflet outlining the Youth at the Centre programme
What does the programme focus on?
The landscape for work with children and young people has changed dramatically over the last few years and our Youth at the Centre programme aims to help community organisations navigate this changing landscape. As such our programme will respond to the changes and opportunities that affect community organisations working with children and young people. The current areas of focus for our programme are (currently under construction):
