Young Ones – Doing it for Themselves

Nine young people from the Royston area have just completed a highly successful Peer Research Project and are all now in either full-time employment or training.

Funded by the North Glasgow Social Inclusion Partnership, the Peer Researchers -  Nicole McVey, Annie Weir, Leah Conner, Raymond Manners, Lisa Craig, Michelle Cochrane, Siobhan Bulloch, Gary Kennaway and Pauline Morrison were supported by Christine Zeidler and William Main of Royston Youth Action.

Seven of the nine Peer Researchers are registered with the Glasgow North Youth Team. Glasgow North client Lisa Craig says that "working with friends and other young people from Royston, and the positive response that we have had, has given us all a real buzz" she continued, "It is amazing what other young people were willing
to discuss with us - because they knew they could trust us."

Andy Cameron of Glasgow North Ltd’s Youth Team added "I have worked quite closely with Lisa and Gary and congratulate them on an excellent piece of work" "It makes our job at Glasgow North so much easier when young people, in this instance supported by Royston Youth Action, become engaged in these sorts of activities.

When young people have a sense of purpose and the proper support they can achieve so much". Overall 184 young people completed questionnaires which investigated their needs, issues and aspirations. The Peer Research group then facilitated various workshops with local youth groups to discuss their findings.

Girls from the Royston under 13's Football club were only one of the groups to engage in these very worthwhile workshops where sensitive issues such as alcohol and drugs were discussed. Helen Mc Laughlin, Manager of Royston Under 13's agreed with Lisa saying "My girls were not sure about the workshops at first but when they realised that they were being delivered by other young people from their area they soon let their barriers down and were quite comfortable speaking about various issues that effect them and the Royston area."

The Peer Research Group were recently presented with awards for their endeavours from April McAuley of the local SIP office. At this ceremony they made an excellent presentation of their findings to a group of funders, youth workers, community representatives, community police and local people and their research made very interesting reading.

A copy of their report is available from Royston Youth Action at 0141 572 0984. For all employment/training enquiries, assistance is available from Glasgow North Youth Team on 0141 552 5413.

Story and Pictures: Glasgow North Limited, "Limited Edition", Spring/Summer 2005.