Time for Young People (T4YP)
Time for Young People (T4YP) creates opportunities for young people to become active young citizens, contributing to the life of their community. It is an inspirational programme unlocking young people’s creative potential within communities, placing value on community action, active citizenship and building social capital.
Government policies state that young people should be able to take part in positive experiences and be more actively involved in the design and delivery of the services they receive. These policies also acknowledge that young people are assets to their communities, with voices and talents that can be used to improve community life. TFYP builds on this by valuing the work that young people are willing to do for their community and provides them with opportunities to both to give and to receive. The result of this is healthier communities with active social networks, improved understanding and respect between generations.
T4YP offers youth workers a new way of working. It encourages them to explore with young people how they can play a part in the life of their community. T4YP is one of the simplest and effective models of time banking to emerge form Time Banking Wales work. Having successfully developed and tested this programme in different youth settings, the Big Lottery are currently funding the dissemination of the T4YP methodology throughout six South Wales local authority areas – Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Blaenau Gwent Caerphilly, Torfaen, and Cardiff.
Future: The second phase of this programme will disseminate T4YP across all local authority areas in Wales.
Contact Annika Young or Nathaniel Freeman on 01495 780006
At the Glyncoch Youth Time Bank, The young people have acquired time credits by:
- producing a mural for the local primary school
- helping to run the summer festival
- getting involved in environmental projects
- running the youth club,
- putting on concerts for the community
- assisting the community centre committee.
With their time credits the young people have enjoyed a 3 day outdoor pursuits weekend, quad-biking, ice-skating, a survival skills and gorge walking course, My Fair Lady at the Millennium Centre and a karate competition in London.
Through the time bank the young people have begun to take more responsibility in the youth club. They have formed their own constituted organisation GYAT (Glyncoch Youth Action Team) and are taking over the decision-making processes of the youth club.
“time banking has meant we have done loads of stuff for the community and because of our efforts we have been on trips to loads of places”
Youth Participant
FOR A PREVIEW OF THE T4YP BOOKLET, CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
The next T4YP training day is on the 27th September at the Vine Centre, Bridgend:
http://www.participationcymru.org.uk/training
Case Study: Bettws Youth Time Banking Project
In Bettws, a small valleys community in South Wales, Police were faced with the highest levels of youth anti-social behaviour out of 39 wards in the county borough. The police recognised the need to positively engage with young people and worked with Creation Development Trust to bring together local organisations including Bettws Boys and Girls Club, Communities First, Bettws Lifes Centre, Bettws Primary School, Valleys to Coast, Time Banking Wales and Local Community Groups to establish a Time for Young People (T4YP) Time Bank.
Young people from the village earn time credits by giving their time to community based projects, facilitated by the Boys and Girls Club, community groups and the school. These include anti-bullying projects, environmental projects, supporting local community groups with activities, helping to run children and youth activities at the Boys and Girls Club such as a Halloween party, attending training by the Police and making decisions with staff and local community Police at the youth PACT meeting.
The young people use their time credits to attend classes at the youth club, for example first aid courses, health and beauty sessions, judo, cheerleading and carpentry courses or attending events and social activities.
The project has had a dramatic impact on levels of anti-social behaviour. The Police recorded a 17% reduction in crime (mainly anti-social behaviour) during the 6 months following the setting up of the timebank. Improved relationships between Police, service providers, community members and young people has resulted in lower crime rates, increased community trust and community awareness.
Source:
1. Sowing the Seeds
Time Banking: Public Service delivery with Time Credits
Public Service Management Wales
Welsh Assembly Government
Published 02/07/08
2. Community Safety Partnership Bridgend: Neighbourhood Policing Team
Shine in Bettws, Published 20/11/2007
3. T4YP Feasibility Study
Time Banking Wales
Published January 2008