Issue 6 - Summer 2012
Br i n g i n g
you the ‘s un’ rays of YoUFA news ...
Hello from the New Youth Ambassador!
This issue will also have quotes from UFA members, which gives you a great chance to read firsthand the benefits of UFA and discover how you can contribute in the future.
Welcome to the summer issue of YoUFA news. All those at UFA and YoUFA have given me a warm welcome, shame I can’t say the same about the British summer weather! I have enjoyed getting stuck into all the UFA events that have been going on.
The YoUFA news team wants to hear from you! So if you would like to share some of the amazing work that has been taking place where you are then please get in touch!
Amongst all the Olympic events the main event in UFA’s eyes has been the summer NCS programme for young people, so keep reading to find out about the ‘One amazing Summer’ young people in Kirklees, Durham and Northampton were part of. We will also let you know the good news from young people who were part of the Arts Council Leading Lights project! And of course we can’t forget to mention about the YoUFA Board.
The YoUFA network is about young people, so pass on the word about the network and help it to grow and get bigger. Together we can empower other young people with skills to lead activity and take ownership of their learning.
Inside this issue...
One Amazing Summer
‘A million times over worth doing...’ said one NCS participant. (continues on page 2)
YoUFA Board
‘The YoUFA board is into its 4th year with the 10th meeting soon to commence on Saturday 8th September. (continues on page 3)
If you want to find out more about YoUFA, be part of the network or you just want to say Hello then check out our ‘SHOUT about it!’ section for all the different ways you can get in touch with us and have a chat.
Leading Lights
Enjoy the issue,
Young people held a performance alongside professional musicians for all their friends and family. (continues on page 4 )
Leadh :-)
‘All the great work these young
people have done has paid off as they have successfully managed to gain their Silver Arts Award...’ (continues on page 3)
Jazz’d Up!
NEWS
16 & 17 year old’s reaching their potential
National Citizen Serivce: One Amazing Summer
Here are some quotes from young people who took part in NCS:
“A million times over The activities included a giant worth doing”
The talk of the town this summer has defiantly been zip wire, camp fires and many “I now know myself in the National Citizen Service high rope challenges. (NCS) programme. a way I never thought NCS is a government based The second week ‘People I would” programme designed for with Passions & Hero’s from young people to learn about Home’ was a “Everyone’s supportthemselves, build on skills local residential in their ing one another” that may help them with home community of either (Kirklees & Northampton their future careers and Kirklees, Durham or NorthNCS Graduates) become positive role amptonshire. The week If you’re in Year 12 or 16-17 models for other young focused on developing their years old and have missed people. new skills, working as a your chance to be part of team and discovering new this amazing programme They also had the chance ways to make a difference in then don’t fret! to change or make a differtheir community. ence in their communities There is another by delivering a social action The third week ‘Big Plans’ opportunity to take part project. The programme involved the young people in NCS in the autumn half took place during the sumdesigning their social term. If you live or know mer, which included 3 jam action project and deciding anyone who lives in Wakpacked weeks of activity how they could change their field, Bedfordshire, Kirklees with young people also havcommunity. This included or Northamptonshire. If it ing to complete a 30 hour projects such as: The big rivsounds like social action project using er clean up, a coffee morning something you would like to their new found skills. and setting up a summer gala. be part of don’t hesitate to email lwoolley@ufa.org.uk, The first week ‘Feel The The Summer NCS procall 0121 212 9838 or Fear & Do It Anyway’ was a gramme is seen as a journey head over to then UFA-NCS residential with young peothat the young people are all Autumn Facebook page for ple taking part in physically going on. more details on the NCS challenging activities which UFA had the pleasure of programme. pushed them out of their watching these young people comfort zones. make life changing steps on their incredible journeys. Seeing how much enthusiasm and eagerness to learn put a huge smile on everyone’s faces. Scan me to sign up!
Decision Makers
YoUFA Board:
The YoUFA board continues to focus on young people’s voice, leadership and influence in the continuing development of YoUFA. YoUFA board members attend regular meetings to discuss important questions and ideas for the YoUFA network. As part of the YoUFA board, members contribute ideas, plan fundraising strategies, develop and launch publications, steer the direction of UFA and advise on young people’s resources. The YoUFA board is into its 4th year with the 10th meeting soon to commence on Saturday 8th September.
Leading Lights:
Remember the leading lights project from last YoUFA news? Just in case you have As the new Youth Ambassador I am very forgotten 15 creative excited to meet all the current board young leaders from members and fill them in on all the new ideas Buzz Youth Theatre and and opportunities that will be in store for Coseley Youth Centre them. in Dudley planned 4 new UFA Lead Learner If the YoUFA Board sounds like something you clubs that were would like to be part of then you’re in luck as launched earlier in the we are looking to recruit some new members! year. The leading lights To download an application form, log onto projects were aimed at www.youfa.co.uk enabling young people to achieve the national qualification The Arts Being part of the YoUFA board will involve you Award. working alongside other board members to make decisions about the direction of UFA and These clubs were the work they do! YoUFA is about you so it is planned and managed important to have YOUR input and YOUR say! by young people for young people.The clubs If you like the sound of being part of the YoUFA involved taking part board and are interested then please check out in arts activities and the ‘Shout About It’ section and contact us! sharing their creative approach with others. To see the latest agenda visit All the great work these www.youfa.co.uk/youfa-board young people have done has paid off as they have successfully gained their Silver Arts Award and helped other young people in their clubs to achieve a Bronze Arts Award. Great work from great young people!
Giving Young People a Voice
Grow it:
Fancy becoming a YoUFA co-ordinator or a regional ambassador within your school or organisation?
Jazz’d up Summer: Birmingham Summer Challenge hits the high notes!
‘Grow it’ is just for you! Take a look on our website and see how a £100 donation from your school or organisation could equip you with the skills you need to be part of this amazing project.
You can fundraise, be the voice of your local school and also increase young people’s leadership in your community.
UFA have been running Summer Challenges in Birmingham for over 10 years, and this year was no exception. UFA, alongside THSH (Town Hall & Symphony Hall) had the pleasure of running another amazing week of musical magic; each year the Summer Challenge has a certain theme with this year’s theme being Jazz. The week long programme was for young people aged 10-14. During the week professional musicians from the Symphony Hall held workshops aimed to develop young people’s instrumental, performance, composition and teamwork skills. It also gave young people a great chance to socialise with other young people from different backgrounds and communities.
The young people had a chance to try out many different elements of Jazz music including being part of the Jazz band, improvisation and singing in a Jazz style. After the first few days settling in to their new found skills the young people soon began to realise their own potential and develop a great interest for Jazz music.
At the end of the week the young people held a performance alongside professional musicians for all their friends and Not only will you get family, this was a great chance for them to show off the new Jazz the chance to be the skills they had learnt. All the young people embraced the Jazz elevoice, but you are rements and put on a great performance. It was clear to sponsible for making everyone in the audience how well the young people had decisions that will affect broadened their music knowledge. It was also great to see how much they had grown in confidence to perform in front of you, your community a large public audience. and your school/college.
SHOUT about it!:
Share YoUFA and UFA with someone new each week! Have something to say then we want to hear it! There are many ways you can get in touch! Facebook - Search UFA- YoUFA Twitter - @UFAorg OR @ufaLeadh Email - lwoolley@ufa.org.uk Text/Phone - 07980673574 YouTube - Search ‘Super YoUFA’ Postal Address -See below UFA St.Paul’s Cottages 59/60 Water Street The Jewellery Quarter Birmingham B3 1EP
@UFAorg @ufaLeadh
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