Relationships with authorities
Mental Health
Substance misuse
cyber safety
Recommendations Report April 2016 – January 2017
02
YOUTH COMMISSION REPORT 2016/17
contents Foreword by Michael Lane
Introduction
The Youth Commission 2016-2017
04
06
08
What We Did
Who Did We Reach
Priority 1: Relationships with Authorities
9
11
Priority 2: Substance Misuse
Priority 3: Mental Health
Priority 4: Cyber Safety
21
25
17
13
Conclusion
Next Steps
Our Partners
28
29
30
31
Contents
Testimonials
03
Foreword by Michael Lane Police and Crime Commissioner, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton I am delighted to report that my Youth Commission has consulted over 3,000 young people. This is an outstanding and impressive result, ensuring that the voices of young people are truly heard on topical issues they, and their peer group, find important. The work members have undertaken with a range of partners guarantees key messages land in a variety of areas. The Youth Commission’s work is widely respected and this is evident through the increase in organisations requesting to work with the group. These organisations have my thanks for this engagement. Their supporters are all proud that the Youth Commission has been recognised as being an ‘Inspiring’ winner in the British Youth Council Awards this year. They thoroughly deserve this award and I am particularly pleased that this recognition is coming from their peers. My Youth Commission
foreword
Members have impressively committed several hundred hours of their own time to volunteer to researching and delivering improvements around policing and crime that reflect young views and opinions.
04
•
Abigail Caveney
•
Megan Probert
•
Alison Romaine
•
Mia Langford
•
Bronilda Hoxha
•
Michelle Brown
•
Chantelle Smith
•
Muhammed Haque
•
Clarissa-Mae Elliot
•
Nadine Croll
•
Eleanor Moore
•
Patrick Allen
•
Hannah Curl
•
Rosie Robbins
•
Joseph Fenwick
•
Shannon Dean
•
Katie Vincent
•
Sophie Smith
•
Mandy Kalandria
•
Tayah Winslade
•
Marcia Tanyanyiwa
•
Tessa Bundy
•
Megan Evans
•
Xin Xu
Those who have been with the Youth Commission for a year or more are offered an opportunity to mentor subsequent members. The following young people have shared their skills and experiences and are significantly responsible for the success of the Youth Commission. Well done to; •
Cody Dean
•
Gabrielle Day
•
Louis Faith
•
Meredith Draper
•
Rebecca Dunn
•
Ruby Leaity
Two members have stayed with the Youth Commission since the pilot phase. This year they have stepped up to support my staff in the running of the project. Their contributions are fundamental and provide another level in a youth led environment. •
Casey Taylor
•
Callum Nicolson
foreword
They all deserve to be praised for their contribution.
05
Introduction The Youth Commission allows young people to act as a conduit between their peer group and the Police and Crime Commissioner, exploring real experiences on policing and crime, coupled with finding solutions for those issues. From April 2016 to February 2017, the Youth Commission undertook its Big Conversation, hearing from over 3,500 young people across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton on the four priorities chosen by members. Additionally the members worked on delivering messages to other young people and professionals at events, through workshops, campaigns and social media.
Summary
Substance Misuse
Relationships with Authorities
Young people’s message was clearly early education is key and that the use of outside professionals, combined with the experiences of ex-users, was likely to be an effective prevention tool, enabling them to make an informed decision.
Findings Responses were mixed in this area. Police were seen as helpful and supportive, but there was also a sense of mistrust and feelings of being treated harshly. A strong message was that young people felt they were treated differently because of their age. Many suggested there needs to be a joint respect built between young people and the police. Others mentioned teachers as an authority that had similarities with police, especially with regards to a lack of being listened to and valued. Recommendations
introduction
1. Educate and raise awareness about issues from an early age.
06
2. Continuous engagement between young people and the police, from nursery to university. 3. Create more opportunities to get to know police as people, including utilising police cadets.
Findings
Recommendations 1. Using like-minded young people and ex-users in a variety of ways to deliver early education and intervention. 2. Use or fund, harm reduction techniques. 3. Using young people to develop, or work in partnership with substance misuse campaigns, focusing on using social media effectively. 4. For the police to use more discretion rather than criminalisation.
Mental health
Cyber Safety
Findings
Findings
By far this was the most important issue to young people, regardless of age, area or background. Many recognised that some areas of support and awareness had improved. However many stated there is still a stigma associated. Young people highlighted that mental health issues are not taken seriously, especially in males. Overwhelmingly young people said that more awareness and education was required.
Young people had clearly, and regularly, experienced issues online themselves, or knew of friends or family who had. There was a consistent feeling that not enough was being done to educate about the dangers and that parents were ignorant about these issues and teachers were untrained. They felt that current lifestyles led to earlier exposure to the internet and that others took advantage of this ignorance, making it an area of risk.
Recommendations
Recommendations
1. Deal with issues such as abuse and
1. Parent education and awareness.
bereavement correctly, which will therefore reduce the likelihood of those who have experienced trauma developing mental illnesses in the future. 2. Ensure there is help available, no matter how severe or small the case is. Examine the guidelines on when things are ‘bad enough’ to give help.
2. Introduction of Cyber Ambassadors in schools. 3. Online tutorials and ‘adverts’. 4. Universal method of reporting.
3. Introduction of a helpline and specific local website with a tool kit of resources, plus further promotion of existing apps. 4. Provide peer education on self harm and mental illnesses from year seven. Educate young people on signs to
5. Professionals ensuring they aren’t judgmental when someone discloses and always take the disclosure seriously.
introduction
look out for, where to get help, coping strategies and building resilience.
07
The Youth Commission 2016-17 Each year a new cohort of members are recruited, trained and volunteer to make their communities a safer place to live. This year we recruited and inducted 42 young people aged between 14 and 25 who were tasked with: •
Talking with young people in their communities to understand their policing and criminal justice concerns, via The Big Conversation
•
Providing opportunities for young people to inform, support and challenge the Police and Crime Commissioner’s work
•
Identify the root causes of problems, make recommendations for change and work on solutions
Members are from Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton and from diverse backgrounds, including some who may have direct experience of the police and justice systems. We actively encourage applications from young people with these life experiences.
the youth commission 2016-17
Over the last year our members have strengthened existing campaigns, created dynamic new ones, whilst retaining a focus on embedding and implementing the recommendations from previous years.
08
The new group identified four priorities to address;
Relationships with authorities
Substance misuse
Mental Health
cyber safety
What we did Skills training The members undertook training in a variety of areas:
Project Management
mental health
CYBER SAFETY
core training communication facilitation public speaking
Networking
substance misuse
Between April 2016 and February 2017 the Youth Commission used a range of tools to gather, and record the views of other young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Views were collected through: • Postcards • Workshops • Websites • Surveys • Walkabouts •
Social media
The group members went out to gather the views of young people at: • Festivals • Schools • Universities •
Public events
•
Youth and community groups
“Looking back at my quote in this report last year I said ‘I look forward to working with them on the next stage’ but I couldn’t have predicted the breadth and quality that would be delivered. The campaigns are exceptional, the creativity of workshop activities impactful and the presentations inspiring. The right people delivering the right messages, confirms the reasons why young people should carry out this work. I couldn’t be prouder of the work this year’s Youth Commission have achieved.” Lynne Meechan, Youth Commission Project Officer
what we dID
The Big Conversation
09
Other cool things the Youth Commission has done: Being in the Youth Commission has opened doors to other opportunities, such as: •
Speaking at the Hampshire Children’s Safeguarding Board conference
•
Attending an LGBT conference
•
Being invited by the High Sheriff of Hampshire to his Choral Matins at Winchester Cathedral
•
Being consulted by staff and police officers at Hampshire Constabulary regularly
•
Sitting on the judging panel for the Constabulary’s sexting awareness campaign competition
•
Being invited by the Chief Constable, to the National Policing Conference on Children and Young People
•
Giving presentations to Independent Custody Visitors
•
Being given a tour of ACRO
•
Giving feedback at Prevent conference
•
Attending the launch of the Police and Crime plan
•
Becoming a member of the National T2A taskforce
•
Sitting on a panel to assess grants for youth diversionary projects
what we dID
Members have also enjoyed working alongside the Commissioner at a number of events such as; Access All Areas, Active Communities, the Constabulary’s Disability event and at the Gosport Passport scheme, to name but a few. His passionate approach in representing and serving the community is evident and welcomed by all members.
10
WHO WE REACHED APRIL 2016 TO FEBRUARY 2017
who took part?
69
engagement events
4
colleges
17
4
universities
18
14
schools
youth organisations
public events
3529
Young people engaged with
33
organisations worked with
28
workshops delivered
Youth commission members
Mental Health
Substance misuse
Relationships with authorities
6%
42
16%
hours volunteered
45%
cyber safety
32%
WHO WE REACHED
1500+
1954
Postcards completed
11
Who did we tell? The Youth Commission has active social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter where audiences can engage in a dialogue with, and follow the activity of, the group. Regular news updates are given on the Commissioner’s website. Young people can also give their views on the Youth Commission’s priorities on this site, as well as through a section of the national site www.youthcommission.co.uk. The Youth Commission regularly issued media releases about their activity and as a resulted gained good coverage in the local media. Members as media stars Marcia Tanyanyiwa appeared twice on Solent TV, once talking about the priorities and then taking part in a live debate. Teoh Yee Shen, a third year journalism student at Winchester University, said she was so inspired by the group she decided to film two pieces for her dissertation about their work. “The activities they are doing, the input that they are giving is important, they help and share young people’s voices by
WHO WE REACHED
sharing their story, this moves me and is why I decided to do a short film on the Youth Commission”.
12
She has made a film about mentor Louis Faith as well a documentary on the whole Youth Commission which is being finalised at the time of writing. The final film will be accessible via the Youth Commission webpage.
Casey Taylor made a music video with Fixers regarding her change from a life of crime, to being an upstanding member of the community, which was shown on Meridian Tonight. You can view the song on YouTube.
The members have also featured on the radio. Nadine Croll spoke to Eagle FM about why Cyber Safety had been chosen as a Youth Commission priority, and Capital South ran both the #GoFISH campaign and recruitment for new members on their news feature.
Priority 1 - Relationships with Authorities Our aims were to:
Actions
•
1) Helped train a Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) on how to engage positively with young people.
• Create campaigns and interactive events to engage young people and avoid anti-social behaviour •
Look at how young offenders can be better supported to reduce their offending
“I think it is vital to focus on the relationship between youth and the authorities because it has an impact on our society in a negative way. The labelling and stereotypes has made it worse for the youth and authorities to be able to communicate. It is important for the Youth Commission to cover this area because the youth feel like they are not heard. I feel that through the work we do on this relationship we can make a change. Whether it is big or small, it will have some sort of effect.” Bronilda Hoxha, 19
2) Provided advice and guidance on how to give domestic abuse information. 3) Encouraged and supported young people and Hampshire Constabulary to work together and improve relationships through interactive events e.g. football tournaments, Takeover Day, police cadets. 4) Supported Hampshire Constabulary to circulate information, contributed to the force youth newsletter, as well as participating in youth initiatives such as judging the Sexting awareness campaign competition. 5) Helped write the Constabulary’s sub charters ensuring they were young people friendly.
Priority 1 Relationships with Authorities
Support Hampshire Constabulary to implement their Youth Charter
Relationships with authoriti
13
Big Conversation Findings Seven percent of young people we spoke to said this was their top priority Responses were mixed in this area. Police were seen as helpful, supportive and as people who make you feel safe, but there was also a sense of mistrust, feelings of being treated harshly, and a slow, or no, response when called for help. Strong messages were that young people felt they were treated differently because of their age and that officers assumed that ‘all’ young people are up to no good and this could result in continuous offending. Many suggested there needs to be a joint respect built between young people and the police and how this would be beneficial to the community as a whole. A small minority mentioned an issue around treatment and racism but equally others stated this was uncalled for and an issue stirred up by the media. Others mentioned teachers as an authority that had similarities with police, especially with regards to a lack of being listened to and valued. Views and experiences “I like the police they are helpful”
Priority 1 Relationships with Authorities
“I have a stammer and that is immediately thought of as drunkenness”
14 14
“People of authority tend to have less patience when dealing with young people who are just being young!” “They don’t listen!!! Have reported several incidents and have not done anything” Solutions from young people “Educate and raise awareness to the youths at a younger age” “Get more black police officers - training course” “Educate people on/about the roles of authority careers. Educate authorities how to try to understand who they are trying to help” “Train the police to listen and deal with young people more effectively - take victims more seriously” Youth Commission Recommendations 1. Educate and raise awareness about issues from an early age. 2. Continuous engagement between young people and police, from nursery to university, allowing young people to grow up around the police. This may change the typical stereotype of officers being ‘scary’ and therefore children may feel more confident in either confiding in them or allowing them to help. 3. Create more opportunities to get to know police as people, including utilising police cadets.
“In the summer of 2016, I was approached by Test Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team to deliver youth engagement training a part of a team away day.
It worked as a win/win situation as it gave my training extra credibility and police officers were able to learn from young people first hand their experiences of authorities and their ideas on how to engage with young people. Moving forward, it showcases a fine example of how a collaborative approach can achieve a better relationship with authorities and paves the way for an opportunity to hopefully roll out to other police teams who could also benefit from it�. Stacey, Stacey Miller Consultancy
Priority 1 Relationships with Authorities
I have worked with young people for 15 years and am really keen to give youth a voice and work in partnership with agencies. Over the last few years I have had the pleasure of training Youth Commission members on a number of their priorities and it was a no brainer that we should work jointly on this training especially as its one of their priorities.
15
Case Study Tessa Bundy, 18
Priority 1 Relationships with Authorities
“I joined the Youth Commission because I wanted to play a part in how policing across the county I live in affects young people like me. I felt that the Youth Commission had done valuable work in the community in the past and I wanted to be a part of something that gave back to the community, instead of taking all the time.
16
I decided to focus my time in the Youth Commission on improving relations between young people and authorities, specifically the police, as I felt it was important that both young people and the police have a way of communicating their feelings. Through carrying out postcards as part of the Big Conversation, on both my friends and others, I learned to understand other people’s point of view, which doesn’t necessarily match my own, and how to combine everyone’s opinion into one plan. The Youth Commission has given me lots of opportunities, which I never thought I would be able to do – after all it isn’t every day you train a group of police officers - all of which has helped improve my confidence and taught me that I am able to do different things in any situation. I have also met a wide variety of people, both other Youth Commission members and experts working in all sorts of fields, people that I would never have met without the Youth Commission. The skills and training that I have been able to undertake will be invaluable and help me in my future and what I want to do.”
Priority 2 - Relationships SUBSTANCE MISUSE with authorities Our aims were to:
Actions
•
Work in partnership with substance misuse organisations and ex-users to raise awareness with young people on the risks and effects when taking substances.
Gaby Day, 21
•
Get messages to young people on • how to seek help and keep safe. Educate on the changes in the law for Legal Highs and that ‘legal’ doesn’t mean its safe.
“I chose substance misuse as I believe it’s the most commonly accepted issue however, I feel many don’t know the risks and consequences that could occur with misuse from legal substances like alcohol, to illegal drugs. Another reason was not many people know about the change in law for New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), formally known as Legal Highs which are a huge issue with health care due to the unknown affects. It’s an issue that needs to be tackled in order to prevent future fatalities. During the year we attended a lot of events, including lectures by Stacey Miller on Cannabis, probably the most common drug used by people we talk to. I really enjoyed attending the festival ‘Boomtown’ as people were sharing their views and experiences openly with us, meaning we were able to gain more knowledge as to why people chose to take these substances but also how best to approach the subject with others.”
The Youth Commission continued its ‘Lethal Highs’ campaign centred on the change in the law, in addition they focused on drink spiking.
•
Attended and spoke at two NPS lecture for professionals explaining the changes in the law and ran a session for college nurses.
Designed a new leaflet signposting to services, which was subsequently used to produce a keyring.
•
Designed and commissioned two unique board games to use as a tool when educating young people about substance misuse.
•
Gave assemblies and delivered workshops in schools.
•
Visited festivals to speak to attendees about their experiences and give out spikies.
•
Gave input to substance misuse provider forums.
• Social media messaging on drink spiking during Alcohol Awareness Week.
Priority 2 Substance Misuse
•
Substance misuse
17
Big Conversation Findings 17 percent of young people we spoke to said this was their top priority
Priority 2 Substance Misuse
The most prevalent trend from the research was the use of early education. The young people spoken to believe in this concept so strongly that it was mentioned three to four times more than any other subject. Indeed many of the other ideas revolved around, and could be incorporated into, the idea of earlier education. They advised that this could help deal with the current socially acceptable nature of drug use and that the use of outside professionals combined with ex-users was likely to be a more effective prevention tool than the current ‘just say no’ ideals. A frank discussion focused on the notion of providing an ‘informed decision’ was welcomed by many respondents. It was also recognised that earlier education could only be truly effective if implemented in parallel to efficient support structures, many felt that better awareness of, and investment in, these structures would be a valuable prevention tool. Overall, there was a focus from the young people towards the prevention of initial drug use, as well as reducing harm in current drug use, rather than the current national focus on reactionary policies.
18
Views and experiences “Police don’t deal with real cause just the issues there in front of them” “I think students are made to think that it is the time to experiment but don’t really know about the risks or repercussions. Drugs especially are an issue and are too easily accessible” “Friend misused drugs over the years and ended in a coma for three weeks whilst on our holiday” “There’s a lot of people around Southampton who are either on drugs or alcohol. They can be scary to deal with”
population who are given more voice and participate in greater partnership” Youth Commission Recommendations 1. Using like-minded young people and ex-users in a variety of ways to deliver early education and intervention. 2. Use or fund, harm reduction techniques. 3. Using young people to develop, or work in partnership with substance misuse campaigns, focusing on using social media effectively. 4. For the police to use more discretion rather than criminalisation.
Solutions from young people “Drugs are a way to relieve pain. People need support in ways to deal with their problem. Other than drugs or alcohol”
“I feel that substance misuse is an increasing problem and I feel that by making people more aware of the dangers, then this problem may reduce” “Prohibition does not work – a more relaxed approach like other police forces may make relationships with young people and other users of substances better.’ “Drug testing in combination with other festival harm reduction interventions in full collaboration amongst all parties (especially police). Realistic, credible and evidence formed education. Full spectrum harm reduction which is responsive to the concerns and needs of key affected
Feedback from students at Thornden School following our drugs workshop; “It was really good as the presenters had first-hand experience” “It was interesting how it affected them” “It was unbiased which was good” “Very informative” “Interactive” “Good the presenters were young”
Priority 2 Substance Misuse
“My friend is addicted to cannabis and is branching out to other drugs such as snow white. Telling her what you taught us MIGHT stop her”
19
Case study Patrick Allen, 25
Priority 2 Substance Misuse
Voluntary work has been a constant presence throughout my life. It provides me with an opportunity to have a recognisable impact on the lives of my peers and that of the wider community. My previous work has ranged from teaching children about history, while working for a museum, to conducting dance workshops in an effort to keep young adults from crime. However, I believe the greatest opportunity I have had so far to truly impact the whole of my community in a positive way has been since joining the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission.
20
The Youth Commission represents to me, young people both taking charge of their own future, and also helping influence the future of their peers in a positive way. Not only do we attempt to help shape the criminal justice system to better reflect the opinions of the young people it represents, we also confront issues that go beyond criminal justice and affect every part of our society. The problem that I chose to help tackle this year was that of substance misuse. I felt I could help build on the already successful ‘Lethal Highs’ campaign run last year, by adapting it and adding in my knowledge gained while researching the topic at university. Having already undertaken research on young people, I was committed to developing a prevention message that I believed young people might actually listen to. Therefore, we decided to present unbiased educational workshops focused on approaching the
participants as adults to allow them to make an informed choice. We also further developed our previous campaign (now out of date following the introduction of the Psychoactive Substances Act) constructing it around a message of ‘…there is no winning in the drug game, the only way to win is not to play…’ From the feedback we have received, I believe this was the most effective approach. The Youth Commission has provided me with the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to help prevent young people from falling into the thrall of substance misuse, and is one of the proudest achievements of my life to-date. Whether, speaking to 200+ people at a county-wide conference on the subject of mental health, conducting workshops with young offenders about the dangers of legal high use, or attending a local festival and speaking to the users directly, the opportunities afforded to me have helped me shape my own destiny and, I hope, that of my peers.
ips Substance Priority 3 - Mental Health misuse rities Our aims were to:
Actions
•
Work with partners to raise awareness and remove the stigma of mental health.
1) Delivered workshops exploring mental health to young people, including young offenders.
•
Hold an event for World Mental Health Day.
•
Promote the warning signs and organisations that provide support.
•
Explore the link between mental health, abusive relationships and substance abuse.
Mandy Kalandria, 19
2) Met with a director of Public Health, a speciality registrar and a GP and gave advice on their self-harm materials. 3) Supported the #ItsOKtotalk campaign by Andy’s Man Club. 4) Attended Fit Fest and Mental Wealth events. 5) Worked with CAMHS to develop resources to go into schools. 6) Worked with Clarity Youth Theatre on the development of a play to help highlight, and facilitate discussion around, Mental Health.
Priority 3 Mental Health
“Hello, I am Mandy, one of the elder members of the Youth Commission whose priority of choice is Mental Health. Having been familiar with this field both by being a forensic psychology student, and by being a mental health patient, I thought my knowledge and experience would be best used by helping and educating others on the subject. One of the most memorable activities we did with this group, was a seminar whose audience was a crowd of young offenders from Portsmouth and surrounding areas. Even though there were quite a few difficulties in our communication with them, it was really rewarding seeing some of them understand our message and get something to take home from it.”
Mental Health
21
Big Conversation Findings 45 percent of young people we spoke to said this was their top priority Many recognised that good mental health is important to maintain and that in some areas support and awareness had improved although there was still a lot more to be done.
Priority 3 Mental Health
However many stated that mental conditions are often difficult to recognise, as they are not always visible, and that there is still a stigma associated resulting in young people feeling like they would be labelled if they disclosed. Young people highlighted that mental health issues are not taken seriously, especially in males, and that there is a lack of understanding with not enough support in place. This support needs to be welcoming and “not embarrassing” to attend. Waiting list times were seen as far too long and many people felt that their mental health had become much worse during the waiting period for counselling.
22
Overwhelmingly young people said that more awareness and education was required but emphasised that information should not be “sugar coated” and that social media could be used more positively to counteract negative messages. They thought that information about coping strategies would be useful. Views and experiences “Mental health needs to be addressed the same way as a physical injury” “I feel disregarded” “Older people I know tend to think that mental instability is an excuse for behaving badly, when they don’t fully understand how it affects people”
“Although I believe the NHS is doing its best, there’s not enough funding, more is needed for support and treatment” “I know people who have been through bad mental illnesses and it takes a toll on them, in serious cases suicide was seen as the only way out for them” Solutions from young people “Teens need to be taught about mental health just like every other major disease” “Free counselling, open groups, private discrete chat systems” “Introduce a government funded institution which would have its own number to call (like 999) for those dealing with mental health issues” “Increase awareness amongst police officers – help to resolve problems when they arise” “More conversation/awareness of mental health in school/college + at youth clubs and safe spaces + people to trust” ” Offer (free) workshops that give people a sense of purpose e.g. music, art or even science/academic groups”
Youth Commission Recommendations 1. Deal with issues such as abuse and bereavement correctly, which will therefore reduce the likelihood of those who have experienced trauma developing mental illnesses in the future. 2. Ensure there is help available, no matter how severe or small the case is. Examine the guidelines on when things are ‘bad enough’ to give help. 3. Introduction of a helpline and specific local website with a tool kit of resources, plus further promotion of existing apps. 4. Provide peer education on self harm and mental illnesses from year seven (ensuring the right messages are being given). Educate young people on signs to look out for, where to get help, coping strategies and building resilience.
Emalene Hickman from Clarity Youth Theatre said “Mental health can be a difficult subject to approach. Dramatisation allows a conversation to be started more naturally than just asking a room full of people to talk about mental health. My play was created using young people who have suffered from mental illnesses and I think this was a great outlet for them. They were able to open up about their own experiences and use them to encourage other people to do the same. I’m extremely proud to have aided those few young people in their recovery as well as giving them the opportunity to contribute to the Youth Commission’s very important work”.
Priority 3 Mental Health
5. Professionals ensuring they aren’t judgmental when someone discloses and always take the disclosure seriously.
23
Case Study Marcia Tanyaniwa, 20 One of my greatest accomplishments in 2016 was definitely joining the Youth Commission and I can admit I’m proud of doing so. It is just something different, and that different is a good different.
Priority 3 Mental Health
Firstly, when I heard about the Youth Commission, I thought right it is my time to make a contribution and watch that contribution change someone’s perception or way of life. Despite having said that, I can admit that I wasn’t 100% sure what being part of the Youth Commission was all about and what it involved, therefore it has been a whole new experience. What really motivated me to join the Youth Commission was being part of the solution and having to network with different organisations and meeting different people.
24
Taking into consideration volunteering opportunities out there, the Youth Commission relates to the youth therefore it was definitely something I wanted to be a part of. Given four main areas of focus to choose from, Mental Health really caught my interest considering it is something that is not talked about but yet bothering a lot of people. By contributing towards getting rid of the stigma surrounding mental health, I have also developed deeper understanding on it. The best part about all of it is that, not only have I met very influential people, my confidence levels when engaging in certain activities, such as speaking out amongst a group of people have also been boosted. The Youth Commission sessions are very engaging and interactive, the best way to describe them is like spending time with a bunch of friends. In addition to that I have definitely learnt a lot more than I knew.
The meetings consisted of good food, laughter, loads of banter and great positive energy. Besides the banter, I’ve had great opportunities, such as the chance to appear on Live News and a talk show, as well as attending other events, such as Fit Fest. Being part of the Youth Commission gives you the chance to meet great, inspiring people, given for example attending one of the events meant I came into contact with a PCSO who gave me insight into my dream job! If there’s one thing I’m definitely looking forward to in the New Year, it is remaining a part of this amazing team and sharing more interesting stories.
bstancePriority 4 - CYBERMental SAFETY suse Health Our aims were to:
Actions
•
Educate young people on the potential consequences and laws around using technology.
1) Conducted a survey to identify young people’s needs.
•
Inform parents/guardians of the signs of online abuse.
•
Promote support mechanisms for victims of cyber-crime.
2) Developed an innovative campaign #GoFISH (Go Find Internet Safety Help). 3) Collated safety information and produced USB sticks, preloaded with this information. Distributed them to students at Fresher’s Fayres. 4) Worked with the Children’s Commissioner for England’s office on their ‘Growing Up Digital’ Report and newsletter. 5) Delivered interactive workshops to young people, including those with disabilities about keeping safe online. 6) Supported the work of the Breck Foundation promoting a ‘No Tech 4 Breck’ event.
Priority 4 Cyber Safety
“I chose Cyber Safety as my priority area as I feel that the rise in cyber related crimes and negative experiences faced by young people needs to be addressed. I feel that it is important to gain an understanding of what young people currently know. The launch of #GoFish has given me the opportunity to go into local schools with the aim of educating younger people on keeping themselves safe by giving advice through tips and an understanding of the possible threats to them. I believe that it is crucial for us to start highlighting some of the dangers online to the young users of social media.” Katie Vincent, 22
cyber safety
25
Big Conversation Findings 31 percent of young people we spoke to said this was their top priority Young people had clearly, and regularly, experienced issues online themselves, or knew of friends or family who had. They gave various examples around cyber bullying, sexting, grooming, fraud, phishing and trolling. There was a consistent feeling that not enough was being done to educate about the dangers and that parents were ignorant about these issues and teachers were untrained. Because of this ignorance many children are isolated, making them easier targets and making the bullying harder to deal with. They felt that current lifestyles led to earlier exposure to the internet and that others took advantage of this ignorance, making it an area of risk. Views and experiences
Priority 4 Cyber Safety
“I have experienced this (cyber bullying) along with many friends and it can ruin so many young lives and impacts educational outcomes”
26
“Young people (are) now able to see & access things (smartphones) giving them access to people who can be dangerous and put pressure on them e.g. nudes, porn, sexting” “It (cybercrime) is not policed as much as street crime and yet still affects people” “I got told to go kill myself” “My friend had images of himself released publicly and he was sad about it” Solutions suggested by young people “More education about punishments for online offences (especially bullying)” “Websites should need proof of age” “Advertise on social media the consequences of what you post”
“Education in schools, youth clubs. More awareness to children and parents about who to talk to/where to go” Youth Commission Recommendations 1. Parent education and awareness. 2. Introduction of cyber ambassadors in schools. 3. Online tutorials and ‘adverts’. 4. Universal method of reporting.
In support of the #GoFISH campaign Julia Fossi, NSPCC’s Associate Head of Child Online Safety, said: “We know online safety is a major concern for children and young people, not just parents, because that is what they tell us. In a world where an increasing amount of our time is spent online, it is only right that people of all ages learn more about keeping safe on the web.”
Case study
Alison Romaine, 18
The internet now has equivalent digital parallels to almost everything the ‘real’ world offers - messaging, social networking, job applications, homework. Its versatility and awesome communicative capabilities, googling wonders, crowd funding possibilities, creativity and the sharing of international cultures explains our dependency on it. The fact that half of young people’s leisure time is now committed to online activities, combined with its growing accessibility to all ages made us think that understanding young people’s behaviour online, the risks and how we can make it safer, so that its benefits are optimized, should be a priority. There is anxiety that it is children who have the most experience online - but with little clear, effective guidelines/representatives on how to navigate it safely - professionals, teachers, parents and adults need to engage with technology so that confidence can be instilled in young people. #GoFish raises awareness of ‘how to report’ online, how to maintain privacy (we give up a lot of our personal data by just freely ticking the T&Cs of many social media services) and the reality that online activity has a degree of permanence - preventing the internet playground where we document our childhood from affecting our future employability.
Through the Youth Commission I have gained the experience of establishing dialogue with the local young people and then communicating with organisations across Hampshire, press interviews, organising and presenting group workshops (a highlight was with Enable Ability delivering as a team and interacting with the guys who could be the most vulnerable demographic online). Being exposed to contexts that I wouldn’t get from just a school education, you learn opened mindedness, that not everyone has the same life as you. We also had a networking training session - gaining confidence skills to talk to people face to face to promote our priorities and maximise the opportunities that organisations give - real world skills that school/college seems not to have time to teach. Youth Commission links you to lots of other local and national bodies - I was able to get involved with the Children’s Commissioner for England- writing for their youth newsletter and being involved in their “Growing Up Digital” project. We were also invited to ACRO Criminal Records Office - quite an exclusive encounter where we learnt the behind-the-scenes activity around the databases that keep the public safe.
Priority 4 Cyber Safety
The Youth Commission gave me the opportunity to take the things young people may not be a fan of and work to actually change them. We were able to talk to and represent young people - listen to their valuable insight into their everyday problems (them being the experts on that subject) - then directly and effectively inform professionals who often make the decision our behalf.
27
Conclusion The Youth Commission has spoken to a record number of young people this year on issues that are currently effecting their lives. They’ve repeatedly heard that education is vital to improving and raising awareness in all topic areas. Their research shows a strong desire from young people to be engaged with, to build relationships and to learn and understand more. Hearing from those with experience of the issue was deemed particularly effective as well as talking to others their age. Young people took responsibility for their peers actions and attitudes and recognised a small minority give the wider group a bad name. The issues raised around cyber safety and mental health in particular evidence what a different place the world is and the scary and complex difficulties young people are facing.
CONCLUSION
Professionals clearly value the members and involve them in the design of resources and campaigns, the delivery of training, the commissioning of services and the planning of projects.
28
One example of this is the Lethal Highs campaign which has continued from the previous year. The impact from this work with young people was most documented. Additionally substance misuse had the highest demand for members to present, run workshops and give input around. This came from schools, youth organisations and professionals.
However the most important priority for young people was mental health. This provoked the strongest reaction and although the stigma is slowly being removed, the pressure on the system for addressing the needs is immense. The #GoFISH campaign, the direct result of a survey asking young people what they needed, has picked up national interest from the NSPCC and the Children’s Commissioner’s office, in addition to capturing the interest of many local partners and young people. This campaign was highly successful due to the creative input from members. The Youth Commission’s work adds significant value and gives a unique insight into the real thoughts and experiences of young people on topics that are relevant, and most importantly their solutions. This work has rightly been recognised by the British Youth Council who gave Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission their ‘Inspiring Youth Led Project’ award. As the Youth Commission embarks on a new year with new members it remains committed to gathering the views of young people, raising awareness and working with partners such as Hampshire Constabulary, to improve the community we live in and to make people safer.
The Youth Commission’s next steps •
Recruitment of a new cohort pan Hampshire and Isle of Wight
•
Focus on four priorities, each with a clear campaign or focal event
•
Research the views of a variety of young people on these priorities
•
Continue to input and support the implementation of the recommendations in this, and previous reports
•
Help train officers and PCSO’s on the most effective ways to engage with young people
Youth Commission volunteer Casey Taylor, 24 “I hope that in the future the Youth Commission will be more interlinked within Hampshire Constabulary so the members will be able to go and spend the day observing the police to see what they have to do on a daily basis, also help to inform the police about what the Youth Commission do by attending a training day or going into the stations and talking to them about us and the work we do. I also hope the Youth Commission can carry on developing partnerships with businesses and organisations and carry on to help to develop campaigns locally and nationally.”
• Promote and embed the Constabulary’s Youth Charter • Work closely with partners and stakeholders to widen the campaigns to even more young people •
Support the establishment of young ambassadors and mentors in schools
•
Continue to support partners in providing appropriate services
NEXT STEPS
• Encourage the implementation of resilience building
29
Our partners
•
We are grateful to the following organisations for their support enabling the Big Conversation to happen;
• Richard Taunton Sixth Form College
•
Access All Areas
•
Active Communities
•
Arnewood College
•
Basingstoke College of Technology
•
Boomtown Festival
• Butserfest • Catch22 • Communitas
Rock Challenge
•
Southampton University
•
Southampton Solent University
•
Testbourne School
•
Thornden School
•
Totton & Eling Arts Festival
•
Victorious Festival
•
Volunteer Police Cadets
•
Yateley School
•
YServices for Young People
Crofton School
•
Eastleigh Youth Conference
•
Enable Ability
•
Fit Fest
•
Game Fest
• Children’s Commissioner for England
•
Gosport Youth Conference
•
Clarity Youth Theatre
•
Hampshire Constabulary
•
Hampshire Constabulary
•
Hampshire County Council
•
Hampshire CAMHS
•
Leaders Unlocked
•
John Hanson School
• Neighbourhood Policing Teams; Andover, Havant, Southampton, Swaythling
OUR PARTNERS
•
•
• Isle of Wight Council, Children’s Services
30
Prince’s Trust; Rushmoor, Basingstoke and Eastleigh teams
For support from; • ACRO •
Breck Foundation
• NSPCC •
Stacey Miller Consultancy
• Unloc And appreciation to;
Tom Floyd, High Sheriff of • North East Hants Domestic Abuse • Hampshire Forum •
Peter Symonds College
•
Pompey in the Community
•
Portsmouth University
•
Portsmouth Youth Offending Team
•
Staff at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
Testimonials “As a charity committed to the safeguarding of young people, we greatly admire the contribution that the Youth Commission volunteers make when they undertake their work in the school communities they visit. Young people respond well to young speakers, it is inspiring for them to learn valuable life lessons from young adults and the fresh perspective is a complement to their ongoing education. The Youth Commission volunteers provide a link between the youth of their communities and the constabulary which strives to protect them, the ripple effect of the insight they can give could therefore serve so many working within safeguarding organisations. Through Youth Commission volunteers sharing the feedback provided, we can ensure that we fully understand how to support young people. It would be wonderful to see this initiative thriving in every community.” Rebecca Bush The Breck Foundation
“I do wish the Youth Commission every success with what they’re doing. I think they deserve all the support everybody can give them. This (mental health) is a vital job”.
“When I was approached by the Youth Commission to make a couple of board games for them to help young people understand the dangers of ‘Lethal Highs’ and substance abuse, I saw it as a bit of a challenge to my usual work, but also as a good opportunity to help raise awareness on these issues. The enthusiasm for the project and the desire to help young people from Lynne and her team was infectious and made the whole experience a joy. Whilst communicating with the team, I could see how important it was for all of them to want the right balance between creating something fun but also educational. I have seen pictures of the finished pieces in action, and it gives me great pleasure to see everybody playing them enjoying themselves. The hard work and thought put into this project by the Youth Commission team gave me the inspiration to put the games together for them and the end result seems to be making a positive impact on its target audience. Long may their good work continue.” Garry Azzaro www.internationalridicule.co.uk
International Ridicule
TESTIMONIALS
Fred Dinenage, ITV Meridian
31
“CAMHS in Hampshire have a positive and ongoing rapport with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Commission, with Lynne being a key factor for this collaboration. Mental health and psychological wellbeing is a key issue affecting so many young people and families, and this year it has been a primary objective for the Youth Commission – this focus is very welcome. They have regularly attended our Hampshire Fit fest-health and wellbeing events, providing an informative an interactive stand about the work they do and gaining excellent and useful feedback about services, its delivery and what young people want and value. Through these various projects and initiatives it has been very helpful to be able to access valuable opinions and ideas from young people who are not part of the CAMHS service and can offer more varied and objective views. CAMHS are currently collaborating with members to produce posters for senior and junior schools that provide consistent and useful information to young people relating to suitable websites, organisations, and apps in a user friendly and youth focused way. Camhs in Hampshire are delighted with the ongoing relationship and look forward to future collaborations”. Helen Dove, Innovation & Participation Lead, CAMHS in Hampshire
“Can I extend my thanks to yourself and the facilitators Hannah and Patrick for the delivery of the Lethal Highs and Cannabis session at the Junior Attendance Centre. The level of engagement by the young people was good. From there I am able to report back to supervising Youth Justice staff about their progress. Feedback from the two members of staff who attended is the session was well delivered and they too learned from the material. I am pleased we have agreed to have Youth Commission facilitators back later in the year”.
TESTIMONIALS
Heather Wright, Officer in Charge, Junior Attendance Centre
32
“Hampshire Constabulary wholly respect and value the voice of young people, recognising the importance of including them in the work we do to inform and protect them; listening to their views, ideas and recommendations, informs us how best to develop ways of communicating and engaging them that will effectively speak to, and appeal to them. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with the Youth Commission; an example includes the valuable support they provided us with a force-wide competition the constabulary ran for secondary school pupils to design a peer to peer campaign to raise awareness of the issues associated to ‘sexting’: sharing nude and sexual pictures online. We recognise the value of the work the youth commission carry out to include the voice of young people, in particular their cyber safety priority which has responded to the multitude of issues young people face living their lives out online. We congratulate them on their hard work and successes, and thank them for the opportunity to work together to mutually support the work we both do to keep the young people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safe and informed.”
If you would like to know more about the Youth Commission or register your interest in becoming a member please contact: Email: opcc@hampshire.pnn.police.uk Tel: 01962 871595
TESTIMONIALS
PC Maria Carrick, Hampshire Constabulary School & Youth Engagement Coordinator, Strategic Partnerships
33
GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE Join the conversation www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk hantsyouthcommission hantsyc hantsyc