Case Study: Family Hub & CIRV Youth Takeover
The 'Be & Feel Loved' pledge is one of the key focuses of Coventry’s Child Friendly Cov, aiming to ensure every child and young person feels a strong sense of belonging, love, and support. It highlights the importance of nurturing environments for children to flourish.
The Family Hub & CIRV Youth Takeover event was a key step towards fulfilling this pledge by fostering inclusivity, encouraging youth participation, and strengthening community bonds.
Event Overview:
The Family Hub and CIRV collaborated for the Youth Takeover event to empower young people through community activities, supported by youth workers from the Family Hub, CIRV, and youth-based providers. The event featured 32 activities, ensuring support and resources for all participants. Over 30 partners attended, creating a marketplace of information, advice, and opportunities for young people.
Purpose of the Event:
The Youth Takeover was designed to provide a platform for young people to voice opinions, share experiences, and explore available services in Coventry. It served as a positive outlet during the school half-term, offering unique activities. The event aimed to promote youth leadership, enhance community engagement, and strengthen connections between young people and local services.
The event supported the 'Be & Feel Loved' pledge by:
Creating a space where young people felt valued and heard.
Encouraging inclusivity and welcoming children of all backgrounds.
Providing opportunities for young people to develop a sense of belonging.
Activities Conducted:
The event featured a diverse range of activities, including:
Interactive Workshops: Facilitated by youth workers and local experts, covering mental health awareness, coping strategies, and skill-building.
Knife Crime Awareness Chat: Led by an expert from Precious Lives, engaging young people in discussions about knife crime.
Practical Sessions and Activities: Fun activities and service introductions with youth workers and mentors.
Community Projects: Participants contributed ideas for youth-based sessions they want in their communities.
Event Outcomes:
The event attracted 450 attendees, including 113 adults (parents and carers) and 266 young people aged 8-18. Additionally, 30 partner organisations participated, with 71 representatives from community organisations, local businesses, and public services. Feedback highlighted the event's success in fostering an inclusive atmosphere where young people felt valued and supported.
Youth Service Feedback: “It was fantastic to see so many young people and youth services in one space with smiles on their faces.”
Parent Feedback: “Thank you for today, all my kids loved it. They can't stop talking about how much fun they had.”
Impact of the Event:
The Family Hub and CIRV Youth Takeover successfully brought together young people and community leaders. It was structured to be both educational and entertaining, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among participants.
Next Steps:
Feedback will be analysed, and follow-ups conducted with young participants. Plans are underway for further “Youth Takeover” events across the city to nurture ongoing youth involvement and leadership.
Conclusion:
The 'Be & Feel Loved' pledge is an active commitment to support, include, and value every young person. The success of the Family Hub & CIRV Youth Takeover underscores how community engagement and youth participation make this vision a reality, strengthening Coventry’s commitment to being a child-friendly city.
