Exeter and Mid Devon
We represent clubs and organisations within the Exeter and mid Devon district area, working with children and young people in a variety of settings. There are 4 meetings a year, online and face to face.
Currently we are working together to arrange a local trip for young people, volunteers and staff where we can all get together, have some fun and look at how we can support each other better.
Exeter and Mid Devon Network Summary
Thanks to Exwick Community Association, Involve Voluntary Action Mid Devon, South West Autism, Crediton Town Council, DCC and Cullompton Youth Club for attending.
We discussed:
£600 network funding available for reducing costs, sharing good practices, and supporting staff and trustees
South West Autism offered neurodiversity training to network members at reduced cost, with subsidy coming from network funding
DCC Youth Council keen to connect with youth representatives in town councils or groups across Devon
Devon Youth Council discussed the opening of a fund and the upcoming Total Respect Training, which is delivered by care experienced young people to help staff understand their experiences. This can be booked here- https://www.standupspeakup.org.uk/info-for-care-leavers/total-respect/
Difficulty of retaining leaders and workers in Exwick to maintain an open access club.
First Aid Training- needed regularly and costs can be high for small groups.
Difficulties maintaining youth work spaces. Decentralised, activity based models can be one way to combat this and reach wider groups of young people
A young volunteer training program is being proposed that will help older young people remain involved in clubs and activities whilst being rewarded and upskilled.
We resolved to-
Crediton and DCC to look at some joint working with their youth councils.
Space and VOYC are available to help with volunteer training and recruitment in Exwick
Network funds can be used for first aid training if several groups are coming together to reduce cost to small groups.
After positive feedback from a number of organisations we will discuss safeguarding trends, challenges and questions at all our future network meetings.
Details of new online training course for volunteers, organised by the Space Community Team, will be published here as soon as dates are set:
