Bridlington Young People With Disabilities Asked To Help Shape Services And Influence Decisions

There's a chance for young people with disabilities in and around Bridlington to influence decisions and to help shape services.

KIDS Yorkshire has been awarded £130,944 over three years by the National Lottery Community Fund.

It's created a 'Young Person's Participation Group' for those aged between 14 and 25.

In summary:

• Young people will be supported to develop their own identity, sense of independence and ambition.

• Young people are able to influence local policy and practice development, working collaboratively with others for the benefit of their community.

• Young people will build their confidence and self-esteem to self-advocate and support others to become involved to widen engagement.

Darren Clarkson, Co-ordinator for the East Riding, said:

"The young people are really being the ones driving this project forward. So it's going to be really taking what burning issues they have, what areas they want to influence and see change in society, and I'll be helping to facilitate that and designing some of the project's outcomes and goals.

"If young people have certain areas of interest or activities they want to get involved with which boost their self esteem or develop new peer friendships and relationships, then that will also be part of that package for young people within the 14-25 age bracket.

"In the intial consultation, some key things were idenfied including having lots more activities that they can have accessability to across the East Riding, developing new peer freidnship groups and finding out different activiies that are more bespoke to them.

"So accessing services and breaking dwon those kind of social isoaltion barriers are quite key topics for young people at the minute.

"So we're really going to try and develop and design activities to help that.

"We have some barriers in terms of Covid-19 situations so we're having to launch virtual groups at the minute."

If you, or a young person you know (aged 14-25 years) with a special educational need and/or disability (SEND) want to be part of the new group then call Darren on 01482 275500 (option 1) or email eastriding.ypeg@kids.org.uk

For more info and updates about the KIDS East Riding YPEG visit https://www.kids.org.uk/east-riding-young-persons-engagement-group