Archived decisions

Contact: Val Webster, Youth Service Manager, tel: 01962 846805

1 Summary

1.1 Peer Training has increasingly become a successful method of Youth Work. The report outlines the purpose of peer training and how it can be used effectively to inform and educate young people about issues that affect them, and highlights a successful project in Hart and Rushmoor.

2 Aim of Peer Training

2.1 Peer training is youth to youth education. The aim of peer training is "to empower young people to make more informed choices by enabling them to increase their skills and knowledge and reflect on their attitudes and behaviours" (ref. M Harvey. Know the Score! youth-to-youth drug education)

3 The Hart and Rushmoor project

3.1 The Hart and Rushmoor project began in response to a gap being identified in young people's knowledge particularly in relation to sexual health and substance misuse. The peer training approach recognises that without the skills or confidence to use it knowledge alone may have little or no effect in changing young people's attitude or behaviour. The approach increases young people's knowledge and communication and decision making skills thus increasing their ability to make choices for themselves.

3.2 Some of the outcomes a young person can expect to gain from peer training are:

· Knowledge of group work, teamwork and leadership skills

· Greater self awareness

· Enhanced interpersonal and communication skill

· Organisational, planning, presentation and workshop facilitation skills

· Greater understanding of health and social issues

· Increased knowledge of specific issues

· New and challenging experiences

· Meeting new people

· Greater confidence and self-esteem

· Greater respect for the diversity of others

· Laughing a lot and having fun

4 Organisational Outcomes

4.1 Some of the outcomes an organisation can expect to gain from peer training are:

· Greater understanding of the needs of young people

· Improved delivery of youth work curriculum to young people

· Young people's increasing involvement and concern with social health issues

· Increased profile of youth work to related agencies and services

5 Recruitment

5.1 The Hart and Rushmoor project recruits young people from local youth projects who show a commitment and ainterest in the subject matter as well as a willingness to learn and develop through a process of training.

5 Presentation

5.1 A presentation by the young people will highlight some of the work they have been involved in during the last 6 months. The presentation will contain many pieces of art-work and a web-site with the aim of delivering comprehensive information on substance misuse. The peer trainers themselves have designed all the art-work and inputted all the information.

Recommendations

1. That the success of peer education as a method of youth work be noted and welcomed.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

File

Book: M. Harvey Know the Score! `youth-to-youth drug education'