Merseyside YouthBank is a unique project which encourages young people to get involved in the enrichment of local communities through supporting the planning, development and delivery of youth-led projects. These projects motivate other young people to take positive action and find new solutions to some of the problems that they face in today's society.
Merseyside YouthBank was a unique project which encouraged young people to get involved in the enrichment of their local communities through supporting the planning, development and delivery of youth-led projects. Offering small financial awards and words of reassurance, we motivated other young people to take positive action and seek new solutions to some of the problems that they face in today’s society. Led by young people for young people, this project was about peer support, youth empowerment, ownership and being proud of our city region.
Merseyside YouthBank existed to give young people a voice; to demonstrate that their opinions are valued and to nurture and support the creative ideas that they put forward to implement positive activity in their local areas.
Initial support from Children in Need back in 2010 allowed the Community Foundation for Merseyside to re-build and re-establish the YouthBank project in the area and invited young people into a new world of philanthropic giving. The project went from strength to strength; not only managing to survive the collapse of its national body, YBUK, but to secure donations from numerous supporters even with the pressures of a struggling economic climate. The Liverpool ONE Foundation has supported Merseyside YouthBank over the last three years, committing to the growth and development of the project and backing the wellbeing of local young people.
Merseyside YouthBank was a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved in grant- and decision-making but also allowed other donors and supporters to reach young people in an innovative and refreshing way.
For their generosity, belief in this project and confidence in today’s youth, we would like to thank the following organisations:
Children in Need
Liverpool ONE Foundation
Shop Direct
23 Foundation
The Hemby Trust
P H Holt Foundation
Merseyside Community Investment Fund (previously Merseyside 100)
Mayor of Sefton Charitable Trust
Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund
John Gilpin Trust
Over the years, children and young people aged 11 to 25 from each borough of Merseyside have engaged with Merseyside YouthBank as panel members, fundraisers and youth representatives. A learning opportunity with a difference, their experience with YouthBank has taught them about informed, unbiased decision-making, budgeting and the importance of good communication and also led them to discover more about the needs and aspirations of young people living in other boroughs of Merseyside than their own.
Merseyside YouthBank has raised and distributed over £22,000 to 50+ youth projects across the county. The number of young people that have benefitted from these awards, directly or indirectly, is phenomenal and we believe that their experience of working alongside the project will have left a lasting impression upon them. Other highlights for the project include representing Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation as youth panellists and being nominated for a Spirit of Merseyside Award in 2013.
While Merseyside YouthBank may cease to operate from April 2016, the future still looks promising. Young people are more aware of what they can achieve; they are inspired by their surroundings and by the support they receive from those who can see, and value, their potential. An international YouthBank movement is currently developing and could see this initiative go global! In the meantime, we’re certain that we’ve managed to make a positive difference to the lives of many local young people and, we must say, it’s been a real pleasure.
Quotes –
YB Members:
“YouthBank provides funding for new opportunities for young people who
may spend their time in unproductive ways. It also supports young people looking for new experiences. I got involved because I wanted to help make decisions on these projects and improve my city as a whole.” – Jack
Applicants:
“We can’t begin to explain how much the award you gave us has meant. We are so very grateful to everyone on the panel.” – Hoylake Play Scheme“Your support with our ‘Get Real’ project is much appreciated and will go a long way to help us. I just want to say a massive thank you to the team for considering us and choosing to support us.” – Imagine If Trust
“The award we received will certainly help towards our costs but the recognition for the young people is equally important.” – Formby Youth Theatre
“It’s nice for our youth to have others give them credit for their part in their community.” – Sefton YMCA
“A wonderful panel of young, inspirational people coming together to benefit our local community.” – Rampworx
“We welcome working together to give young people a voice.” – Ykids!