Motivating & Leading Others

The following was written by Kirsty Smith, CLD Worker - Aberdeenshire Council

The Mearns Youth Consultation was organised by the Mearns Youth Forum and Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) Service.

The consultation process began in December 2008 and the final report was published in October 2009. The learning from the process is still having a considerable impact on the young people involved and our practice.

Following several requests for more information about the process from colleagues within Aberdeenshire Council and elsewhere we have created this DVD which aims to give insight into the process from the perspective of the young people, CLD staff and our partners.

The Mearns Youth Forum is supported by CLD staff from Mearns Community Centre. The forum aims are to ‘Make The Mearns The Best Place To Be A Young Person In Aberdeenshire and to have a laugh and enjoy the things we do as a group!’

At the time the Mearns Youth Forum needed to be able to better represent young people locally and the CLD service needed to improve the quality of youth work delivery locally, the Mearns Youth Consulation 2008 made that possible.

As a result of the consultation:

• The Mearns Youth Forum have a clearer vision and mission.
• We have more focused youth work in the Mearns including two new projects set up in partnership with the youth forum in response to the information young people gave us.
• We have youth representation on the local rural partnership and at the NHS’s patient participation group. The Mearns Youth Forum are frequently asked for their input as a group which represents young people.
• In the 12 months after the follow up report was published and as a result of the evidenced need we have been able to access over £15,000 in funding to develop youth provision in the Mearns
• Improved sexual health services and information for young people including an area wide youth information guide created by young people and the availability of free contraception for young people in Laurencekirk. Additional training for the pharmacist in working with young people.

For more information contact Mearns Community Centre on 01561 378298 or visit www.mearnsyouthforum.org.uk.