7EYA
"The worlds most precious resource are young people. Therefore, our goal is empower young people and communities to be the best they can be"

Toolkits - Methodology

When we run our project where integrating 2 different communities is key we tend to apply a methodology known as “Contact theory”.Contact theory an sociological theory based on how to minimize stereotyping and discrimination.

Our philosophy is the most important resource on the planet are young people. 


We treat every child as an individual and we cater our services to the needs of each particular individual whom we are in contact with.


When we run our project where integrating 2 different communities is key we tend to apply a methodology known as “Contact theory”.Contact theory an sociological theory based on how to minimize stereotyping and discrimination. The philosophy is that if people of different races, or ethnicity, or religion, make contact/interact with one another on an equal level then less stereotyping occurs by them.


Contact theory is the driving force behind community cohesion that is: peoples attitudes towards each other are shaped by contact and the type of contact. If the contact is positive then that establish a positive attitude within the person regarding further contact with persons with same group. Lack of contact and interaction results in ignorance because there is no interaction so myth and discrimination fills the void left by lack of contact.


In our project we bring young from different ethnic groups together in a safe secure environment where mixed groups, teamwork, team building and diversity are celebrated and where racism, violent hatred behaviours are challenged in an intelligent way. 


Our young people take part in activities, gain accreditation while at the same time we hold discussion forums where subjects such as racism, extremism, sexism, homophobia,etc. can be  discussed with trained and experienced facilitators empowering young people to be able to discuss issues which are taboo openly while at the same time challenging in a non dictatorial and aggressive manner discrimination and anti social behaviour.


We look at the young people as a whole person not just a client whom is attending one of our projects or as a commodity. We provide a holistic approach looking at all the needs of a young person and trying  


Our projects contain 6 basic elements.

  1. Positive and creative activities. Arts, media, business studies, dance, sports and other activities which give our clients (the young people) the chance to partake in activities which allow them to express themselves, use their talents, get a taste of areas of interests to them and spend their time involved in positive activities not hanging around on street corners or getting into trouble through boredom.
  2. Accreditation. We provide Level 1,2 and 3 accreditation for young people within all our programs. We have a long term partnership with South Birmingham College and we are recognised by them for delivering specialist education for young people classified as NEET.
  3. Mentoring and Peer mentoring. We have a qualified and experienced mentor to help provide guidance for young people facing challenges in their personal lives. We teach young people life skills and learn to discuss issues which effect them so that they are not making important decisions based upon ignorance, fear and / or the negative influence of peers.
  4. Career advice and economic well being. We help young people understand how to create personal budgets, how to perform job search, write job applications and write cover letters and emails.
  5. Challenge anti social behaviour, racism, extremism and hate crime with knowledge, understanding discussion and positive experience. 
  6. Monitoring and evaluation. We always make monitoring and evaluation integral to our projects. We monitor how many young people join our projects, who did the outreach or refereed them, we monitor their progress weekly throughout the project, what they achieve and their progression after the project has finished.

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Our Team

With all our projects we have a team of trained and experienced professionals who work together to provide a holistic approach to youth crime prevention and youth development. 

  1. Project manager.
  2. Mentor.
  3. Workshop facilitators and youth workers.
  4. Counselors.
  5. Administration.
  6. Tutors.
  7. Parents.
  8. Police.
  9. Probation.
  10. Housing associations.
  11. Schools.

Past Projects.


2006 – 2009.


Beyond Midnight University


Partners.


Birmingham Youth Service, SRB 4, South Birmingham College.


Outcomes: 

  1. Engaged 575 young people at serious risk of involvement in gang activity n positive creative opportunities , 275 of those were new to the youth service.
  2. 125 young people gained a Level 1 or 2 qualification in media, dance or  sports coaching.

2009 – 2011


Sparkbrook Preventing Violent Extremism Project.


Part5ners.


Sparkbrook Youth Inclusion Project, Youth Offending Team,  Birmingham Youth Service, Youth Music.


Outcomes.

  1. Engaged 180 young people who are t serious risk of being involved in extremism in music production.
  2. 35 young people  young people gained a Level 1 or 2 qualification in music technology.
  3. Produced an album.
  4. Produced a performance concert.

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