This page gives further details about the organisation Barnardo’s North East, awarded £289,357 over three years in 2006/07 through the Partnership Grants Scheme.
Barnardo’s North East works in Northumberland, Tyneside, Wearside, Durham and Teesside, on average working with 14,000 children, young people and their families each year. Their programme of services include counseling, fostering and adoption services, vocational training and disability inclusion groups.
- visit Barnardo's website at www.barnardos.org.uk/northeast.
Young People Do Politics project
The project targeted Barnardo’s service users aged 16-25 that were not in education, training or employment. The project delivered awareness-raising group work sessions, locality events providing a range of activities with a political theme and a parliamentary reception. In addition the project encouraged young people to register to vote and provided advice and support to do so. The grant funded staffing costs, locality events, training, travel, management and associated project costs.
Project outcomes
- young people show an increase in confidence so they will take part in all aspects of political decision making
- create and develop more opportunities for young people to work with people who make decisions
- increased understanding of the democratic process amongst young people
- young people given assistance and opportunity to register to vote
Outcomes achieved
The project delivery model was based on a participation framework, aiming to have a positive impact on the young people they work with. This was achieved by raising young people’s awareness of how politics affects their everyday lives, assisting them to register to vote, and providing opportunities for them to have dialogue with decision makers.
They distributed 10,702 voter registration packs to young people across the North East and provided assistance where needed to complete the voter registration form. Seven hundred and sixty four socially young people took part in group work sessions designed to increase their understanding of democratic processes. Six hundred and ninety nine young people met with decision makers in open dialogue, discussing issues that faced young people.
Case study
Abby is outside formal education, unemployed and has other levels of deprivation in her life. She stated that she knew nothing about politics prior to attending a Barnardo’s Do Politics locality event. During the event she attended a workshop on how politics affects her life, looked at participation materials and registered to vote. She also attended a question and answer session with North East MPs.
Abby stated that the event had a positive impact on her, as the event was delivered in an informal, fun and informative way. She also felt that her knowledge of politics had significantly increased because of the event, helping to make politics real.
