We are nearing the day when young people can come and enjoy FetLor once again! Our clubs start back one week today – on September 5th. There has been a couple of small changes in our timetable from last year. See the flyer for all clubs and times.
As always clubs require registration. This needs to be completed by everyone.
To register simply click the link to take you through our digital form:
https://forms.gle/6vVQkj6zzriNCdx57
If you have any questions drop us a message. See you soon 
PILTON YOUTH & CHILDREN’S PROJECT
25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OPEN DAY
WEDNESDAY 10th AUGUST 1 – 3pm
As the current plan comes to an end, it’s time to explore opportunities, hopes and aspirations for the next 3 years.
Help make sure the community and voluntary sector has a voice in this process, by getting involved in this discussion.
You’re invited to have a say on Edinburgh’s Community Learning and Development Plan for 2021 – 2024.
You might ask yourself what is Community Learning & Development (CLD) and why is it important for my group or organisation to have a say in future planning?
The ambition for the Edinburgh CLD plan is to make a positive difference for the citizens and communities of the City and the organisations in the community / voluntary sector work with children, young people and adults to do just that.
That means it’s essential that our sector plays a part in strategic planning in areas like adult learning, youthwork, community centres, communities and citizens who are seldom heard and so much more.
THE EVENT
Paul McCloskey (CEC Lifelong Learning Strategic Manager – CLD and Libraries), Laurene Edgar (LAYC Director and Edinburgh Community Learning and Development Partnership Chair) will lead this event.
They’ll take you through the plan and the potential for this to be a key aspect of the development of citizens and communities in Edinburgh.
You will also have the chance to join in 2 of the following themed breakout groups:
EVENT LINK
Registration for this event closes TODAY – Wednesday 18 August at 6pm.
You will receive an email through Eventbrite by 9am on Thu 19 Aug that includes the Zoom link for this event.
If you don’t receive this email please get in touch, but we recommend checking your email junk folder: esther.currie@evoc.org.uk
A new report exploring how youth work responded to the needs of young people during the Covid-19 pandemic reveals the importance of youth work’s role in closing the attainment gap going forward.
Youth work: Closing the poverty-related attainment gap during the pandemic found that access to youth work within a whole system approach can play a key role in mitigating the longer-term impact of the pandemic in relation to attainment, mental health and wellbeing.
The report identified that disruption to youth work services exacerbated the impact of the pandemic on young people’s learning, achievement and wellbeing.
The youth work sector’s ability to adapt to changing guidelines to create new safe spaces had an overwhelmingly positive influence on young people’s resilience during the pandemic, with 83% of young people reporting that youth work had been important or very important to them over the past year.
A number of community centres will be providing a variety of children, youth and adult work next week as part of a phased approach by the City of Edinburgh Council to opening up more public services.
The centres at Jack Kane, South Bridge, Royston Wardieburn, Ratho, Clovenstone, Pentland and Goodtrees will be open in a limited way from Monday 12 July.
More community centres will have limited opening over the coming weeks as management committees liaise with the Council over what services can be provided in line with the latest health advice.
Up to now community centres had only been accessed to support essential services such as food poverty programmes, support for vulnerable groups and regulated childcare. From Monday there will be access for key youth groups and other children and adult activities.
The activities being provided are in addition to the Get into Summer programme of events which aims to children and their families to play, socialise and re-connect over the summer holidays.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s absolutely vital for our citizens that our community centres are able to welcome them back as soon as possible so it’s welcome that we’ve been able to accelerate their opening.
“They’re a focal hub for our communities and you can’t underestimate the positive effect they have on people of all ages who benefit enormously from using them.”
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m sure people will be pleased to hear that essential services such as youth work along with other activities will soon be resuming in our community centres.
“These buildings are much-loved local spaces, like our libraries and sports venues, and the important role they will play in the city’s recovery from the pandemic is immeasurable.”
Children and young people are getting geared up for a summer of fun as an exciting programme of activities is being delivered by over 100 Council services and partner organisations across the Capital.
The Get into Summer initiative is part of a nationwide scheme funded by the Scottish Government to create a variety of opportunities for children and their families to play, socialise and re-connect over the summer.
The activities will build on the regular summer programmes put on by the City of Edinburgh Council and partners and are taking place in communities across the city. They will help children and young people to get healthy, creative and most importantly, re-connect with each other after a disrupted school year caused by the pandemic.
A key focus of the programme will be activities targeted to those families from low income households who may otherwise struggle to access such experiences during the holidays. The overall programme has a focus on opportunities for youth and children’s work, very young children and their families, with opportunities for sport, outdoor, art and cultural activities.
Some of the partner organisations putting on events and providing support include: 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, Disability Services, Intercultural Youth Scotland, Edinburgh Young Carers, Lochend Football Academy, National Galleries of Scotland, Play2Learn Sports Coaching and Shakti Women’s Aid.
Councillor Ian Perry, Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We know how much our children and young people have had their year disrupted by the pandemic and our ‘Get into Summer’ programme aims to bring as many of them together as possible to play and socialise over the holidays.
“There really is something for everyone with activities ranging from sports coaching to museum trips and music workshops with many additional activities on top of what we usually offer during the summer. We want to do all we can to support our children, young people, their families and carers so they can enjoy the summer.
“This programme is a great way to do that. Thanks must go to the different Council teams and partner organisations across the city who have pulled together to put on such a great programme of activities.”
Councillor Alison Dickie, Vice Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We have listened to our young people who have told us about the impact of lockdown on their mental health and wellbeing as a result of the pandemic so these activities are a first step to help them re-connect with their friends and interests over the summer.
“They and their families are showing great resilience but no one should underestimate the huge impact the pandemic is having with many of the activities and support usually open to them not yet available. This must change.
“Many families on low income struggle during the summer holidays so this targeted offer is a positive step forward and will boost opportunities for those who have faced the greatest challenges in the past 15 months. This programme has children’s rights and needs at its heart.”
Dot Horne, Director of 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, said: “Get into Summer is a much-needed support for children and young people. During this pandemic so many young people have been adversely affected, isolated and missed out on essential life skills they would have learnt as they progressed through “normal” experiences.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of young people coming forward who are lacking things like self-confidence, coping skills, feeling socially anxious , lonely or unhappy. At 6VT we are offering teenagers a dynamic and active programme of activities where they will be supported to improve their wellbeing, experience new activities and learn how to build respectful relationships with others.
“We are striving for a lot of fun and laughter with the overall impact of improving happiness. We encourage parents to support their children and young people to engage into Get into Summer activities.”
Find out more about the full Get into Summer programme.
FETLOR Youth Club has appointed a director to deepen the work the charity does to support young people. Richie Adams joins the Club with a wealth of leadership experience and a passion to support young people, helping them achieve their potential.
Dr Adams describes his appointment to the north Edinburgh charity as a ‘homecoming’, giving back to the community he has served across his career.
Having worked as a community police officer in Drylaw, Muirhouse and Pilton, he knows the north Edinburgh community well.
Richie’s passion for supporting the vulnerable is also evident through his voluntary work as chair of Edinburgh Community Food.
Richie retired from the Police Scotland as a superintendent having served in both Edinburgh and Glasgow and has led a number of significant strategic projects for policing.
He comes to FetLor following a successful term as Director of Education in the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service.
Andrew Barrie, FetLor’s chairman, said: “Richie’s appointment marks a real milestone for FetLor, at a time when young people need the charity’s services more than ever.
“The impact of the pandemic on young people has been profound. Richie is now working hard to get our resources to where young people need us most.
“It’s important that we develop partnerships across youth work in north Edinburgh and Richie is seeking to strengthen links with existing partners and forge new associations so we can reach the young people who really need us.
“Richie’s wealth of experience will drive this work forward. His collaborative approach will help build FetLor’s team so that we can continue to foster an environment where young people can build their confidence and go on to lead fulfilling lives.”
Prior to the pandemic, FetLor Youth Club was able to provide space for over 400 young people in the north of Edinburgh to feel safe, empowered and listened to.
The current restrictions have forced the Club’s youth outreach to be brought online.
Staff are continuing to work hard to ensure its children and young people are supported.
Work is also ongoing to make sure the charity can open the doors of its building on Crewe Road South as soon as possible.
Richie (51), said: “I’m really excited and proud to join the dedicated team at FetLor at this crucial time.
“FetLor has a long history of doing exceptional work to support young people in the north of Edinburgh. At this time, its services are needed more than ever.
“Many young people feel their mental health has suffered during lockdown and others have disengaged from school. At FetLor we are working hard to support our young people during these difficult times.
“We have partnered with a local school to support children who have become disengaged. Our youth team is also hosting regular one to one Zoom calls with a number of young people, helping them get through these most challenging of times.
“As we look towards delivering our service in a post Covid environment there will be much to do. We are looking forward to working with partners and to the community to work out how best to serve our young people as restrictions lift.”
Youth Group is back! Starting today – Thursday 4th February.
Please contact Fiona for the joining details: youthwork@ccchub.online
#Youthwork#youngpeople#highschool#youthclub#Corstorphine#CommunityCentre
Also started this week:
Scotland’s youth work sector could miss out on more than £1 million of annual European funding due to Brexit.
That’s the amount of support currently received every year by the sector from the Erasmus+ international exchange programme, Scotland’s participation in which is now in jeopardy with less than a month to go until the end of the transition period.
The Scottish Government has sought repeated assurance that the UK Government will prioritise continued association to the programme, and, if the UK Government fails in its negotiations to secure access, that any replacement scheme will provide funding on a par with the amounts historically secured under Erasmus+ and that all those who currently benefit from the programme will be supported.
Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead has highlighted the urgency of a decision between Devolved Administration counterparts and Michelle Donelan, UK Minister of State for Universities.
Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland’s vibrant youth work sector supports children and young people’s well-being and helps close the attainment gap. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen the sector rise to the challenge of providing services remotely, supporting some of our most vulnerable young people.
“If, as we expect, EU funding for youth work projects and youth exchanges are no longer available to the Scottish sector, the contribution of youth work to enhancing young people’s capacity for social and cultural connectedness and for understanding and accepting difference could be clearly impacted.
“I was fortunate enough to see the benefits of Erasmus+ first hand earlier this year, when I visited the Royston Youth Action project in the north of Glasgow.
“The impact of participating in international exchanges with young people from Estonia, Finland and Austria had been life-changing for them. Some of the young people had never had a passport, let alone the opportunity to travel abroad before. The Erasmus exchange experience has resulted in a lasting partnership between the participants which endures to this day.
“Research shows those in Scotland with fewer opportunities participating in Erasmus+ report a significantly higher effect when compared with young people who face fewer barriers. And those who study or train abroad are twice as likely to find employment quickly. Losing out to Erasmus+ would be a significant blow to many, and not just financially.”
One of Scotland’s major recipients of Erasmus+ support has been YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work.
YouthLink CEO Tim Frew said: “It is disappointing to see no money for youth work has been allocated to the UK Spending Review, in terms of any potential domestic alternative to the Erasmus+ programme. We hope this is not a signal from the UK Government that these opportunities for some of our most disadvantaged young people are to end.
“Erasmus+ has provided significant transformative and life-changing opportunities for young people, many of whom are furthest away from mainstream opportunities. Whether it’s employability programmes, work on gender-based violence or environmental sustainability, the opportunity to visit, work with and learn from our European counterparts cannot be underestimated.
“We would like to see the Prime Minister make a commitment to the continuation of Erasmus+, a programme that already involves non-EU members, including Iceland and Norway. If youth work participation in either Erasmus+ or any domestic alternative, is no longer open to us, these opportunities will be lost for young people for generations to come.”
The Erasmus+ programme facilitates the mobility of individuals across Europe, be that for learning, teaching, or working, by financing individual exchanges from higher education, adult education, vocational education and training, youth work, schools and sport.
Scotland attracts proportionally more Erasmus+ participants from across Europe – and sends more in the other direction – than any other country in the UK.
Between 2014 and 2018 Scottish institutions and organisations secured more than 90 million euros in Erasmus+ funding with more than 80 youth work projects benefitting from around £4.4 million. With the sector estimated to deliver at least £7 in value for every £1 it costs in public cash, its value to the economy has been estimated to be worth nearly £34 million since 2014.
Recently the European Commission confirmed a 60% increase to the programme’s budget, which is now sitting at over 23 billion euros.
Scottish Government funding for youth work is being increased more than 30% this year to recognise the vital role the sector will play in making up any ground lost in learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A newly created £3 million Youth Work Education Recovery Fund – administered by YouthLink Scotland – is being targeted at those communities and young people who need the most support, bringing Government spending in the youth work sector this year to at least £12.5 million.
Recent findings show three-quarters of Scottish students who take part in Erasmus+ receive a first- or upper second-class degree, compared with 60% of those who did not study or train abroad.
Students who did an Erasmus placement are 50% less likely to experience long-term unemployment, and participants in vocational education and training have a higher employment rate (81% vs 68%) three years after the end of their stay abroad.
Commissioned by YouthLink Scotland, Hall Aitken (2016) estimated the social return on investment in youth work contributes between £656 million and £2 billion to the Scottish economy every year and shows a return of £7 for every £1 of public cash.
A fund to help residential outdoor education centres mitigate the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has openeds for applications.
Centres which are facing financial challenges can apply for funds to help with running costs and to enable staff to deliver outdoor learning in and around schools.
Science Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Residential outdoor education centres are facing severe challenges. As well as providing much-needed support, this fund will mean pupils can continue to benefit from outdoor learning, which is an important aspect of Scotland’s curriculum and can play a vital role in supporting children’s wellbeing and attainment.
“I hope this funding, along with third sector and youth work funding streams which are already available, alleviates some of the pressures and allows centres to offer meaningful experiences to young people.
“Funding on its own will not address all of the challenges facing the sector. We will continue to engage with local authorities to support the important role that outdoor education centres and their staff can play during the period when overnight residential stays are not permitted for public health reasons.”
To coincide with the opening of the support fund, Mr Lochhead has written to local authority directors of education, inviting them to share new advice and support materials for schools as they work with centres in the coming months.
Martin Davidson, of the Outward Bound Trust and #SaveYourOutdoorCentres Campaign, said: “Outdoor education centres welcome the COVID-19 Residential Outdoor Education Centre Support Fund, which will provide vital support during these financially extremely challenging times.
“Supporting fixed facility costs, the fund will ensure that many centres that would have closed permanently are still available for the benefit of future generations of young people.
“In addition, in the short term, the fund will also support outdoor centre instructors to work with young people in schools and local communities, meeting their significant emotional and social needs at this time of unprecedented uncertainty in their lives.”
The fund will be administered by the charity YouthLink Scotland. Applications for essential running costs are invited between 23 November, and 11 December 2020. Applications for funding to support outdoor learning in and around schools are invited between 11 Jan 2021 and 5 Feb 2021.
YouthLink Scotland CEO Tim Frew said: “We welcome the launch of this fund. It will be crucial to the future of our outdoor residential centres, which are a key part of the fabric of Scotland’s wider education system, including youth work. Access to these opportunities is an important part of education recovery as we move through and past the pandemic.
“Outdoor learning contributes to young people’s health and wellbeing and builds essential life and work skills, while connecting them in a special way to their immediate environment and to the wider world and its issues. The value of outdoor learning cannot be underestimated – so it is critical that we ensure the survival of our outdoor centres.”
Details about the fund and how to apply can be found here
