Youth Adventure Service Challenge

The Northwoood Big Local Board is specifically looking to commission an organisation, experienced in youth work, to develop and pilot an innovative programme with young people aimed at developing citizenship, social and emotional skills and self esteem that will impact positively on the needs of the community of Northwood.

Beneficiaries would be limited to those living within the Northwood Ward of Kirkby, Knowsley.
As this is a pilot programme numbers of beneficiaries should be limited to a maximum of 20 young people per term for 3 terms aged 12-15 yrs, i.e. Year 8 -Year 11.

What funding will be available?

There is no specific amount to apply for but Northwood Together can initially consider applications in the region of £20,000. Funding will be awarded on best value, strength of outcomes for the first year of the pilot and the future plan for the project. There will be opportunity to apply for subsequent years funding according to a revised project submission and scope of engagement of young people.

Who can apply:

Registered charities, social enterprises and community organisations with a track record of successful work with young people. Organisations do not have to be based in Northwood, Kirkby.

What sort of things will the project cover?

The exact model of the project and delivery is open for applicants to present in their application. However, it is likely to be made up of:

• initial engagement of young people from the 12-15 age group to form a team(s) and the training of 1-2 as Community Organisers;
• the identification and training of participants in a key skill that could be used in the community e.g. video photography, gardening, etc.
• the identification by the teams of an unmet social need in the Northwood community that they could positively impact through a team project using skills they have identified;
• the construction by the team of a practical project to meet the need,
• a celebration of the results of the project, followed by a reward of a residential and adventurous activity for the teams.

The following key expectations must be addressed in the application:

• Beneficiaries who participate in projects and residential activities must be Northwood residents;
• Innovative strategies are presented for the initial engagement of young people, the identification of local needs, success criteria, and the appointment of skilled workers for the project must be explained;
• Number of beneficiaries to be engaged in the project is confirmed;
• Formative assessment of the project is used to shape it responsively, with the agreement of the Northwood

Together YASC project leaders:

• Northwood Together YASC project leaders are kept informed monthly on progress using verbal and online methods.

Provide a written evaluation of the project's effectiveness in increasing young peoples' citizenship commitments and skills and the impact made on the needs of the community, reporting to the Northwood Together Board with recommendations and costings for upscaling project in future years;

Provide clear, realistic projected costings for each project component, demonstrating best value: Provide clear risk assessment of the project, risk management and the provisions for safeguarding of the vulnerable must be evident in the submission;

Ability to begin project by spring/summer 2016.

Documents which need to be included sent with your application:

1. A copy of your governing document
2. A copy of your latest annual accounts
3. A copy of your current Safeguarding Policies
4. Any additional information to support your application e.g. Outline project plan, letters of support from previous commissions, history of your track record of successful youth work.

Details of relevant insurance held.