Y Sort-It News

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In this area is all Y Sort-It related news and events.
If you want us to post any events that are not on here or you have some news that you think would be good to post then email us the information at the info@ysortit.com

To see older posts and press releases click here to view the archieved information

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More Choices More Chances Websitewww.morechoicesmorechances.com.
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed. It is also committed to ensuring that our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
This is reflected in the Scottish Government’s National Indicator relating to higher proportions of school leavers moving into positive and sustained destinations. West Dunbartonshire Council fully supports the Scottish Government’s aims. Through the coordinated activity of the local More Choices, More Chances Partnership we have developed the More Choices More Chances web site.

The more choices more chances website is an information hub for young people aged 14 - 19, their parents and carers. The main aim of the website is to provide a single access point to information on support and opportunities available for young people living within West Dunbartonshire.

The Website will also support the work of Teachers, Social workers and Support staff, by providing them with an information resource detailing both pre and post school opportunities for 14-19 year olds. The website is also a networking tool for front line staff to support them in their role to deliver a coordinated service that will ensure young people in West Dunbartonshire have the best start to their adult life.

The website has a wealth of information on a range of areas and includes Careers advices, School information, Training opportunities, ways in which you can earn while you learn, Volunteering opportunities and information on Colleges and Universities

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Makeover gives mobile youth facility the “Wow” factor

The Y Sort-it Mobile Information Cyber Station (MICS) is back on the roads again with a brand new look, following a £25,000 makeover.

The refurbishment was funded mainly by the West Dunbartonshire Community Planning Partnership (£17,500), with additional funding from Cashback for Communities and donations.

The mobile facility, run by West Dunbartonshire youth organisation Y Sort-It, is out and about four evenings a week at different locations throughout West Dunbartonshire. It provides local young people with a safe place to meet and take part in fun activities as well as learning workshops on health and wellbeing, employment and training, and family or personal issues. There is even a “Chill Out” room where young people can have a confidential chat with a Y sort it Youth worker about problems that are worrying them.

May Craig, Y Sort-it Project Co-ordinator, said: “The MICS is a very valuable resource for local young people. It helps Y Sort-it to carry out good quality youth work at times and places that young people can easily access. Before the refurbishment, we consulted with local young people about the external design, space, layout and facilities the mobile station would offer. Thanks to the additional funding from the CPP and input from the young people, the MICS now has a whole new urban street style look, a total internal restructure and updated technical equipment.”

John Keaney, Senior Youth Information Support Worker with Y Sort-it, added: “With facilities such as free internet access via five laptops, three plasma TVs, gaming equipment and plenty of seating and storage for sports and arts equipment, the MICS provides something for every young person. We even have gaming on the outside of the MICS with a TV screen and Xbox Kinect available for young people to come and try and take part in competitions.”

Peter Barry, Community Planning Partnership Manager at West Dunbartonshire Council said: “The MICS is a fantastic facility which allows the excellent work done by Y Sort-it to be accessed by young people throughout the area. It gives young people somewhere to go rather than hanging around the streets, but also provides them with information and support to get involved in positive activities. At present it is visiting every local high school for pupils to come on board and have look at what’s on offer. The MICS is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through partnership working.”

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Young Bankies were out in force on Friday to support the launch of the Wrecked and Wasted Campaign’s gig night in Clydebank.
Over 90 young people filled Radnor Park Hotel and enjoyed music from We The Fallen, Herculean, Black Velvet and Playing for Keeps.

The event is part of a local campaign by West Dunbartonshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership to raise awareness about the risks of alcohol and substance misuse amongst young people.

John Keaney, senior youth information worker with Y Sort-It helped organise the gig. He said: “Young people are no different from anyone else – they want to be able to go out and enjoy themselves at this time of year.
“This gig night is an opportunity for them to do so safely without feeling under pressure to get wrecked or wasted to have a good time.

“The main focus of the campaign is to encourage young people to think about safe alternatives to drink and drugs, the risks they are taking and ultimately enabling them to make informed choices.
“The young people in the bands were promoting messages about how to stay safe as well which is always much more powerful than hearing it from an adult.”

John added: “There aren’t enough places for young people to go without facing peer pressure to experiment with drugs or alcohol so it was great to be able to offer a line-up of local acts in a safe environment.”
Y Sort-It youth workers, trained in delivering alcohol brief interventions were on hand to offer information and advice about alcohol and substance misuse.

The evening was also supported by the police, shadow sound studios, Radnor park hotel and bands.

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Young Carers Festive Fayre Fundraiser Success!

Y Sort It Young Carers Groups came together recently to hold a ‘Festive Fayre’ to raise money for respite trips next year. Both Dumbarton and Clydebank groups received the exciting news that they have been awarded a second round of funding from the Short Breaks Fund. The funds will help provide young carers in West Dunbartonshire to access free respite in the form of a Young Carer Camp and the ultimate trip to Disneyland Paris. The Scottish Government established a Short Breaks Fund to help support and sustain carers – including young carers - through enabling better access to short breaks or respite care.
The first event, to raise the remaining amount of money for the exciting trips, took place on the 10th of December at the Concord CE Centre in Dumbarton. The ‘Young Carers Festive Fayre’ was a fun filled day with stalls selling items the young carers made, including a range of handmade festive gifts and decorations, homebaking, homemade soup and non-alcoholic mulled wine.
There were also the usual Fayre favourites such as a second hand stall, tombola and a raffle where many local businesses and others donated generously, including Celtic FC, Rangers FC, Braehead Shopping Centre, Tullochan Trust, Benvenuti Café, Stonefield Carvery and many more. Santa also stopped by to give out treats to the kids as well as a professional photo of their time in the grotto from A+ Plus Photography. (www.aplus-photography.co.uk).
Holly Bartlett, Senior Youth Worker at Y Sort it explains “The Young Carers Festive Fayre was a great event and very successful raising a total fund of £1280.50. In order to fully fund the respite trips planned for our young carers groups next year, we need to raise some money through a few fundraising events. The money raised at the Fayre is a great donation to our target. Not only did it help our fundraising efforts, it was a great opportunity to give the young carers a fun-filled day at a very tough time of year for them.”
She adds, “We are very thankful for all the help and contributions we received. Many local business organisations and individual people donated gifts, time and energy helping to make this fayre a success. We are very grateful for everyones help and support”.

Y sort-it Youth Information & Support Network engages with 12–25 year olds through the provision of innovative & responsive youth information services targeted at West Dunbartonshire’s most vulnerable and at risk young people. The Y sort it Young Carers Groups meets weekly, Clydebank group every Tuesday between 6.30-8.30pm at Y sort it Base Clydebank, and the Dumbarton group every Wednesday 6-8pm at the Concord CE Centre, Dumbarton.
Anyone interested or looking for further information about the Young Carer camps or groups please contact Y sort it Youth Information & Support Network as follows; (Telephone) 0141 941 3308 (Web) www.ysortit.com (Email) info@ysortit.com