Youth Work and Outdoor Learning tools for building

Youth Work and Outdoor Learning: tools for building resilience? Gill Millar Co-ordinator SW Youth Impact Network gillmillar 2000@outlook. com @gillmillar

What is Youth Work? Youth work helps young people to learn about themselves, others and society through non-formal educational activities which involve enjoyment, challenge and learning. The purpose of youth work is to achieve the following with young people: • Build their self-esteem and self-confidence. • Develop their ability to manage personal and social relationships. • Create learning opportunities and to develop new skills. • Encourage positive group atmospheres. • Build the capacity of young people to consider risk, make reasoned decisions and take control. • Develop a 'world view' which widens horizons and invites social commitment. (Youth Scotland, 2019)

Where does youth work happen? • Youth Centres • On the streets/parks/countryside • In and around schools • Linked to public services – libraries, hospitals, young offenders institutions, FE Colleges… • Voluntary organisations, charities, social enterprises • Volunteering and social action programmes • Through arts, sports, environmental and heritage organisations • Youth voice projects – youth councils, UK Youth Parliament, campaign groups

What outcomes does youth work try to achieve with young people?

What outcomes does youth work try to achieve with young people?

Connections between youth work and outdoor learning?

Connections between youth work and outdoor learning? An example… NATIONAL CITIZEN’S SERVICE • Aimed at 16/17 year olds – a rite of passage to active adult citizenship • 3 - 4 week programme in teams of up to 16: • Week 1: Residential in outdoor education setting • Week 2: Residential in setting closer to home • Weeks 3/4: Plan and carry out a social action project in the community • Can we collaborate on the process and evaluation of NCS?

How can youth work and outdoor learning collaborate more to enhance our work with young people? • Sharing contacts? • Sharing research findings? • Sharing resources? • Collaborating on new initiatives?