Renfrewshire hosts inaugural youth work networking event

Renfrewshire held its first ever youth work networking event, bringing together people in organisations and agencies who work with young people.

The inaugural Renfrewshire Youth Work Network brought together statutory and voluntary partners to Renfrewshire Council’s youth services team to share information and ideas on tackling the big issues facing young people today.

Jim Sweeney MBE, Chief Executive of Youthlink Scotland – the national agency for youth work – was the keynote speaker at the event. Jim said: “It was great to come to Renfrewshire and meet all the youth workers who give of their time and their self to improving young people’s opportunities and life chances.

“Youth work is a critical component that supports young people reach their full potential.  It reaches young people in a different way from formal learning and is delivered in partnership with the young people themselves.”

Mental health, supporting youth voice and proposals around a central youth hub were just some of the topics discussed at the event.

Young people’s role in Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 and the Year of Young People 2018 were also discussed and there was also time to talk about training, resources and accessing funding for youth initiatives.

It is hoped the meeting will become a regular event, supporting partners and agencies to communicate and share ideas in better ways.

Renfrewshire Council’s Convener of Education and Children’s Services, Councillor Jim Paterson, said: “The first-ever Renfrewshire Youth Work Network was a great opportunity for anyone who works in youth organisations and agencies to come together and showcase good practice delivered across Renfrewshire for young people.

“The event helped youth work practitioners see what we can do better together and how a partnership approach can benefit young people.”

For more information on Renfrewshire Council’s youth services team, email youth@renfrewshire.gov.uk or contact 0141 889 1110.

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1. Image captions

a) Group shot – statutory and voluntary partners attending inaugural Renfrewshire Youth Work Network

b) Jim Sweeney MBE, Chief Executive of Youthlink Scotland, at Renfrewshire Youth Work Network

c) Statutory and voluntary partners discussing big issues affecting young people in Renfrewshire

2. Youth services are Renfrewshire Council’s youth work team and are part of Children’s Services. The team focus on community learning, youth information and awards development in schools and communities across Renfrewshire. They provide youth information, empowerment activities and outdoor learning for young people aged 11 to 25 years old.