The Future for Douzelage Member Towns Sherborne Douzelage Youth Study Visit 16 – 18 October 2008

1. Young Euro Citizens The Future for Douzelage Member Towns Sherborne Douzelage Youth Study Visit 16 – 18 October 2008

2. Focus • 28 delegates from 14 European countries • To explore youth work policies and practice in the Douzelage member towns • UK policy and local models in Sherborne presented as basis for comparison • Delegates explored the varying approaches to • ~ Youth provision & funding support • ~ Healthy Lifestyles • ~ Retention of Young People in our Towns • ~ Youth Justice • ~ Young Peoples’ Voices

3. Initial findings • Visit highlighted the difference in provision across towns – in the facilities, services and guidance available and the financial support provided • Recognised the importance of building local partnerships • Wide acceptance that the approaches in Sherborne, Dorset and the UK were examples of good practice • Much of this could be replicated across Douzelage towns • This would ensure a consistent level of provision for our young people

4. Key factors • Need to invest in and empower young people to take control of their futures • Give them scope to influence organisations designed to meet their needs • Involvement ensures that outcomes are effective and sustainable

5. Outcome • “The visit sparked both • enthusiasm and a determination • to work together to support • the development of … • structures and activities • across our Douzelage towns.” • Excerpt from Final Report of Study Visit • [Natalie House, Sherborne Douzelage]

6. Challenges • Differences in provision across towns • Definition of a ‘young person’ varies • Level of general and financial support by tiers of local government • Limited funding options available • Application processes very bureaucratic • Majority of funding for capital purchases • Insufficient money for revenue costs • Poor transport links restrict access • Policies reflect preferences & • needs of older residents in towns

7. What works • Improved partnership working between key agencies is essential for young people’s needs to be identified/addressed • Local fundraising often provides more freedom to deliver services & activities • Encouraging promotion of the positive • things young people do – need to • change perceptions • School councils, mock elections & Youth Parliaments promote democratic involvement of young people

8. A first for Douzelage • The Study Visit was the first of • its kind for International Douzelage, • providing an opportunity to engage • new participants and tackle a • specialist subject area that gained • the support of the County Council • Excerpt from Final Report of Study Visit • [Natalie House, Sherborne Douzelage]

9. What delegates said • We really enjoyed every minute of this meeting. Thank you very much • Thank you for making this meeting possible. • We will keep the great time we spent here in our minds! • Thanks for a great time that I hope will lead to more • So many thoughts and experiences, it is impossible to voice our gratitude to the Sherborne Douzelage staff. Thank you.

10. Special thanks to • The President of International Douzelage, Ed Weber, for his support & encouragement • All our colleagues in Dorsetfor their partnership and enthusiasm • The British Council for having confidence in our project and agreeing Youth in Action funding

11. And especially … • To the participants who • travelled to Sherborne • from all corners of Europe • to join in an open, • constructive and • wide ranging exchange • of ideas and debate

12. Our hope is • “For future Study Visits to be held • in other Douzelage towns • to further share learning, • promote best practice and • lobby for improvements in those • areas that contribute to the • development of Douzelage towns • and enhance the basic level of • services and facilities available to • young people throughout Europe.” • Excerpt from Final Report of Study Visit • [Natalie House, Sherborne Douzelage]