Listen Up - Social Welfare Portal

listenup!Case Study 2 | 93Recruitment of young people16 young people joined the project betweenFebruary 2006 and December 2006. In January 2007,13 were still actively engaged on the project andthree had moved on.Young people were originally recruited usingtargeted promotional material which was e-mailed toapproximately 65 different contacts within agenciesin Brighton and Hove. Hard copies were sent torelevant city agencies working with young people. Atthe time of going to press, half of the young peopleengaged in the project had self-referred.Other participants were informed directly of theproject by a professional already working withthem. Professionals have included Connexionspersonal advisors based in schools and colleges andadvisors and advocates based at other organisationsincluding Mind in Brighton and Hove.Recruitment details from February 2006–January 200777% of the young people were aged between16 and 21, and 23% between 22 and 25.54% were female and 46% male. 12 of the youngpeople recruited were White British, and the otheryoung person was of mixed ethnic background.Family/carer involvementFamily members and carers were not directlyinvolved, but young people wanted to expand theproject so that they could train with families andcarers in the future.Current programme prioritiesi. Development of the training packageA group of young people with experience ofmental health difficulties and using services havebeen recruited and are developing a trainingpackage. It will use multimedia techniques such asfilm and sound to help young people express theirexperiences in the most effective way possible.The young people have their own steering groupthat influences the development of the overallproject, and feeds into strategic forums andcity networks such as the Child and AdolescentMental Health Service Strategic Planning Group.ii. Delivery of the training packageThe training was piloted with relevant agenciesidentified by the young people and the advisorygroup. Course participants will be charged afee and this will contribute towards the trainingprovision costs.The young people will deliver the training inpairs to groups of up to 15 professionals ata time, from across Brighton and Hove, bothwithin and outside the clinical sector. They willreceive payment at an hourly rate for time spentpreparing for and delivering courses. Once thefirst group of young people have experience ofdelivering training, they will be encouraged tobecome ‘peer trainers’ and support others.