East Ayrshire Council covers 490 square miles with a population of 121,840 comprising of both urban and rural communities. Vibrant Communities work ‘with and for’ local communities rather than ‘doing to’ them. The aim is to balance the relationship between those who design and deliver services and the people who access and use them.

The improvement issue

East Ayrshire Council recognised that they did not fully engage with all of those who would be affected by council decisions, such as young people. It is therefore important that young people’s needs and perspectives are heard and considered in decision-making processes. As a result, youth representation and involvement need to become a key priority. This will help to ensure that youth people’s views are being listened too. Young people need to have access to opportunities to help develop the skills and knowledge to support them to be confident and effective contributors in all areas of their life.

What the setting did

East Ayrshire Council, in particular, the Vibrant Communities service is innovative in the way that they consult and engage with young people. They recognise that young people develop valuable skills for learning, life and work through their participation in consultation and engagement with people and communities. For example, skills in decision making and strategic planning that could support them in accessing further education, employment or volunteering. Their involvement also helps to ensure that young people’s voices and views were heard, and considered when key strategic decisions were being made.

In 2018, East Ayrshire introduced and celebrated the Year of Young People (YOYP). This approach is now a regular focus every year. A calendar of events and local campaigns takes place every year. This includes a Colour Run for young people in East Ayrshire, East Ayrshire Youth Awards, hosting the 2018 Scottish Youth Parliament and creating the criteria, scoring and delivery of a Participatory Budgeting event. These are co-designed and co-delivered with young people. The events and campaigns shone a light on the many positive things that young people are doing. through events that included: They also recognise young people’s personal achievements and their effective contributions in different educational and community settings.

Vibrant Communities staff created a Children and Young Peoples Cabinet (CYPC). The members of the CYPC are nominated by their school to attend the meetings. Formal committee bearer roles are allocated through an election process at an Annual General Meeting. The group of elected young people represent the views and opinions of their peers. The group are well supported by staff to become a constituted group. They regularly access external funding to create and host their own events.

Young people take responsibility in co-chairing yearly joint Community Planning Partnership (CPP) meetings. Young people co-create the agenda for the meeting and discuss with the CPP membership any issues that may affect young people across the area. Young people successfully contributed to the roll out of the period poverty and dignity campaign. Through this campaign they are ensuring that all young people can access period products in a dignified manner at their own school. They have received national recognition for this work and funding to ensure that all schools can support this campaign.

Young people have co-hosted and presented at national conferences where they confidently talked about the work they are involved in. This includes sharing the impact that is being made through their hard work and commitment.

What the sustained impact has been

Consultation and engagement with young people has become embedded practice across East Ayrshire. Young people who participate in the consultation and engagement sessions feel that their contributions are valued and that the process is not just a ‘tick box exercise’. The council’s senior management team, CPP members, wider council and community colleagues value young people’s input and their time commitment.

The CYPC members are regularly consulted by council officers and are asked to provide

feedback on council matters. For example, priorities for the council’s budget and climate change. These consultations and engagement sessions are meaningful and productive. In addition, when a cabinet paper is being presented and the outcomes include an impact on young people, CYPC members are asked for feedback. This demonstrates a positive and embedded change in the way that young people are engaged and involved.

In addition, dedicated groups have been established to engage with, listen to and support young people to ensure their views are being heard, for example:

• Care Experienced Cabinet;
• Active Schools Young Ambassadors;
• Junior Sports Councils;
• Member of Scottish Youth Parliament; and
• Equalities Groups.

All these groups are well embedded. Young people are actively participating and contribute their views and experiences to inform improvement. Young people are achieving awards and recognition for their role in community planning.

Young people are developing important skills for learning, life and work through their involvement in a range of events, campaigns and representation on committee groups. As a result, young people feel empowered. They demonstrate dedication and passion to ensuring that youth voice in East Ayrshire is strong and thriving. Through a strengthened partnership with East Ayrshire Council, young people not only have a voice but are continually influencing and affecting change.