yipworld.com – Encouraging young people to become active citizens
Key contact: Janice Hendry
Address: Barhill Road, Cumnock, East Ayrshire, KA18 1PG
Telephone: 01290 422364
Email: yipworld.com
Web address: yipworld.com
yipworld.com in a nutshell
At yipworld.com, we seek to build the self esteem and confidence of young people living in the coalfields communities of South East Ayrshire - helping them become active citizens. Through our youth initiative and internet café, we provide a wide range of personal and social activities for young people aged between 8 and 25.
The issues addressed
A consultation process identified the range of issues affecting young people and the local community. Following this, yipworld.com was set up to address the problems associated with social exclusion and young people. The project addresses issues such as:
• apathy
• low self esteem
• poor educational attainment
• health issues
• problems associated with poor housing and family breakdown.
The approach to the issues
The consultation process highlighted that young people did not have opportunities to access health, training and personal advice and information within the local area in a supportive environment. Our services therefore include:
• a drop-in service during weekends and evenings
• the Dropzone – an after school service/school holiday service
• outreach services – providing equal opportunities to all children within the geographical areas – including a mobile internet van project called T.A.R.D.I.S.
• detached street work – encouraging young people to participate in activities and deter them from anti social behaviour.
We also offer a range of activities, including:
• free use of computers and internet access
• pool tables
• arts and crafts
• drama and music – and D.J. training
• outdoor activities – including snowboarding and mountain biking.
Setting up the work
The project was set up following a consultation with young people. At the same time the local business community was asked if they would be able to support the development of the project.
A business-like approach was adopted by the project to ensure that the project was managed efficiently and also that the “entrepreneurial” spirit was at the heart of the development of the project.
Evidence of success
Since opening in 2000, the service has become a hub for young people in the area and valued by the many isolated rural communities in the area. More than 3,500 young people have registered with the project - the overall population of Cumnock being 8,000.
yipworld.com receives feedback from young people, their families and the local community about the positive result the project is having.
The effectiveness of the training programmes offered by the project has seen an expansion in the range of provision especially in childcare, which is now available 5 days a week. The project now has 30 staff mostly from the local community and is a significant employer in the area providing significant income for the local economy.
One Great Thing – Our most innovative outreach service delivery project
The TARDIS is probably one of the best outcomes that we have achieved. It is our newest and most innovative method of outreach service delivery - a service that would targets all of our geographical areas.
Through a mobile satellite van, we streamline 4mg broadband internet to ten laptops within a high specification learning and recreational area.
Our van has a high profile and is embraced by young people and their families in the most rurally isolated communities. Through webcam facility we are able to link the young people in the project base in Cumnock with the young people in the TARDIS. This is promoting inclusion and friendship and breaking down territorial barriers often experienced between rural communities.
Testimonials
yipworld.com has Investor in People status and was re-accredited in 2005. The project was also awarded:
• the Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire Business in the Community Award in 2003
• a Bronze Award Certification in the Business in the Community
• the Learn Direct Best Practice Award 2007 for Ensuring Sustainability.
Lessons learnt
• An essential factor for success is for the work to address a genuine need within the local area. The community wanted the project and wanted it to succeed.
• We pay our staff well for the work that they do. In return we place a high expectation on the quality of work and expect staff to be actively involved in their own professional development.
• By using business management models from the private sector, yipworld.com has become an enterprising project that provides jobs and security for local people but at the same time delivers a range of effective high quality services.
A final message
Janice Hendry, Project Manager says:
“We’ve worked hard to become an important part of the local community. We look for opportunities to expand and develop our project whilst delivering a high quality service for the children and young people of the local area. You need to work to maintain the support of your partners and keep encouraging them to keep involved in your work.”
