Youth Matters conference 24 June 2011

If you are a young disabled person aged 12 – 25 then the DG Voice Youth Matters Conference 2011 is not to be missed.

Share your views at the free ‘Youth Matters’ day from 10am to 3.30pm on 24th June 2011 at DG One, Hoods Loaning, Dumfries. The event is funded and supported by the Council, NHS and Holywood Trust.

The conference also has support right across the third sector including Parents Inclusion Network (PIN), Princess Royal Trust for Carers (PRTC) and Users and Carers involvement (UCI) in relation to supporting carers. LGBT has worked with the Council’s Community Learning and Development service to develop the workshops.

This conference will be an opportunity for young people with a disability to tell decision makers what needs to happen for them to live their lives to the full as equal citizens in their communities. The conference organisers can enable attendance and participation for young people with a wide range of disabilities.Council Leader, Councillor Ivor Hyslop, said, “This is a varied and interesting conference programme which matches the Council’s values including teamwork, partnership, equality and diversity. I hope young people will go along so they can share their views with the decision makers. It’s a unique opportunity to talk to senior people from the Council, NHS and Police. ”

DGVoice Youth Director Callum Dirom said, “We know that young disabled people want to be heard and to make a difference, this is just the start. Please come to the conference, have some fun and at the same time help us make Dumfries and Galloway a better place for everyone to live.”

Hazel Borland, Nurse Director, NHS Dumfries and Galloway welcomed the opportunity presented by the conference:

“I commend DGVoice on their initiative in setting up this important conference. I welcome the opportunity it affords to put the focus on how local partner organisations respond to the specific needs, concerns and issues which affect young people with a disability. It will be a significant step forward in helping us to a clearer understanding – as expressed by the young people themselves – as to what our organisations need to do to make a positive difference to their experience of our services.”

The day includes

* Dance performance by Youth Alive, Body Electric Dance and Soul will be opening the morning and Cree

Sound Band will be opening in the afternoon

Keynote speakers

* Ryan McCann, Young Scot finalist, will be speaking in the morning. Two years ago Ryan was in a car crash which left him with a broken neck. His jobcentre referred him to yipworld.com, a charity in Cumnock, Ayrshire, where he is a volunteer. Ryan, 20, also acts as a mentor for two schools. He will also be facilitating one of the workshops.

* Tam Baillie, Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People, will speak in the afternoon to give Dumfries and Galloway’s results from the ‘Right Blether’ This national consultation gathered information about issues that affected the lives of young people. Tam wants to hear what young people think about this.

Other events:

Networking and market place

You’ll also be able to share your experiences, ideas and concerns with people who are facing the same or similar challenges and to chat to people from a variety of agencies who have some fun lunchtime activities planned and lots of free stuff to take away.

Interactive workshops

A series of workshops, running in the morning and afternoon, will allow you to discuss in greater depth, areas of specific interest:

Access All Areas: General access related issues including transport, buildings, roads etc.

New Directions: Issues relating to employment education and training

Ask Artie: Negotiating the complex world of friendships and relationships

Moving Out, Moving On: Looking at the tools needed for independent living

Play It Safe: Keeping young people safe at home, online and in their communities

Activ8: Participation and having your say

Princess Royal Trust for Carers (PRTC)will host a ‘Carers Space’ all day for carers to have their say too.

Carers will have an opportunity to contribute their views about the topics being discussed by the young people and to meet informally with representatives from PRTC. Representatives from Parents Inclusion Network and Users and Carers involvement will also be available.

Carers will be made very welcome and their involvement in this conference will contribute to the promotion of a good quality of life for disabled young people, their families and wider networks.

Transport can be arranged via Accessible Transport Forum

 

Programme

10.00am Registration and refreshments

10.40am Welcome – Frank Smith Chairperson DG Voice

10.45am Youth Alive – Body Electric Dance group

10.55am Keynote Speaker – Ryan McCann finalist from Young Scot awards

11.05am Workshops

 

12.05pm Lunch and Market Place

 

1.30pm Welcome – Callum Dirom Youth Director DG Voice

1.35pm Band – Cree Sound

1.45pm Keynote Speaker – Tam Baillie SCCYP – D&G Outcomes from National Big Blether Consultation.

1.55 Workshops

2.40 Refreshment Break and Market place

3.10 What now – Tam Baillie and expert listeners

3.30 Close