A new report capturing some of the breadth of work being delivered by members of the North West Youth Network (NWYN) is now available.

This first North West Youth Network (NWYN) Celebration Report covers 2023 and gathers feedback from both members and young people. This will help inform the work of the Network in 2024. 

The Network is made up 123 members from 56 organisations supporting young people in the north west of Glasgow. It provides an opportunity for members to work collaboratively, identify shared issues, challenges, good practice and access support and opportunities for capacity building.

Mary Kate Harte, Health Improvement Senior with our HSCP’s North West Health Improvement Team and Chair of the North West Youth Network said: “Feedback from members was gathered during a development session with the Network in January 2024 and through an online form for those who could not attend in person. The aim was to celebrate successes and address challenges for members in 2023. We also considered ways in which the Network can work collaboratively with key partners to support each other to deliver youth work activity, programmes and services for young people, improve health and wellbeing and reduce the impact of health inequalities.” 

Some of the challenges identified in the report included: funding, responding to current issues such as mental health, vaping substance use and time and capacity for youth providers to respond.

Successes included delivery of new programmes and services, such as a group for young people with a learning disability and a group for young people with ADHD. The Network also celebrated 70 years of Drumchapel and young people’s involvement in the Your Voice events.

Mary Kate continued: “It’s fantastic to hear about the breadth of work in the north west area to support young people and the opportunities that youth organisations provide in relation to activities, learning, experiences, employability and access to support. It’s an honour to be a member of the network and to work in partnership with organisations providing essential support in the community. It’s important that the value and impact of this work is captured and continues to inform the work of the network, responding to local need and celebrating successes."

More than 100 young people provided feedback during two of the ‘Your Voice’ events held in 2023. The events provided fun activities for young people and an opportunity to share their views on issues in their community. Participants discussed what they would like to see more of and celebrated the value of youth work for young people in the north west of the city. 

Young people identified issues such as addiction, poverty and vaping. They enjoyed the activities at the events, meeting new people and food options. They also recognised that a good youth worker should be trustworthy, kind and understanding.

Young people commented that youth work: “gets me off the street”, “helps my mental health”, “let’s me try new things” and “gives me opportunities for volunteering and work experience.”

Comments from Network Members included: “There’s always someone who can help with sharing information that we may not have heard of and it’s good to speak with other projects in a similar position to ourselves”; “I wouldn’t underestimate the amount of groups/agencies that are reading the information being disseminated” and “training opportunities, information and resources for staff and young people are really helpful.” 

Suzanne Glennie, our HSCP’s Health Improvement Manager, North West Locality said: “Building the capacity of local organisations and young people themselves is crucial in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities. The Network is an excellent example of people sharing learning, ideas, challenges and opportunities and working together to make a difference.”

The Your Voice events were led by young people and supported by a number of Network members working together to host the events that were funded by Glasgow City HSCP Health Improvement.  

Reports on each event are available so if you would like more information, become a member or join our mailing list please contact NorthWest.YouthHealth@ggc.scot.nhs.uk. You can follow the team on X @NWYHealth_GLA