New premises
2001-2005 was a time of rebirth, growth and celebration for Dumfries YES. In June 2001, the service reopened in its current site - a compact three storey building, refurbished to YES specifications. The YES still occupies shop front premises in Friars Vennel, but now boasts a ground floor reception area with leaflet display, internet-enabled computer space and staff office, a second floor meeting room, waiting area, counselling and youth clinic zone (C2U) and a top floor information store, volunteers’ room and additional office.

Between 1999-2001, while new premises were being found and refurbished, staff were based elsewhere and worked mainly on project based initiatives and outreach activities. The reopening of the service in June 2001 got off to a powerful start with a day of celebrations. YES Trash Drummers took the Council Hall by storm in front of an audience of 60 young people and colleagues old and new from across the region. Presentations and testimonies about the work of the YES were delivered by Philip Jones, Chief Executive, Dumfries and Galloway Council, representatives from partners within NHS Dumfries and Galloway and young people involved in the service.

After the reopening, staff could concentrate on re-establishing direct contact with young people, re-building partnerships and producing new publicity materials. The prospect of the 10th anniversary of the YES in 2003 provided an ideal focus for promotional activities, projects and volunteer recruitment. Dumfries YES was back in business.

During this time, as part of a Best Value review, the YES also moved departments within the Council - from Youth Strategy, in the Office of the Chief Executive, to Community Resources (now known as the Community Learning and Development Service or CLD). The change allowed the YES to be integrated into the main operational youth work team within Dumfries and Galloway.

10th anniversary
In June 2003, Dumfries YES and its volunteers celebrated its 10th anniversary with an open day, a float in the Guid Nychburris Pageant Parade, a raft in the annual Lions Club Raft Race and a birthday party where Philip Jones, Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, had the honour of cutting the birthday cake. The anniversary provided the perfect opportunity to relaunch the service, offering young people and professionals the chance to try out the facilities, ask questions and meet staff, volunteers and colleagues old and new.

The programme culminated in a special live music birthday event (‘Smokey Bubbles’) held at the Venue, Dumfries. The night was an extravaganza of music and bubble sculptures, with a variety of DJs playing funk, soul, reggae, ska and trip hop. An acoustic ‘open mic’ room showcased the talent of local young people. All the activities were well received and YES obtained good press coverage.

‘Not many youth enquiry services have survived for 10 years but Dumfries YES has also gone from strength to strength.’ David Wallace (Director for the Centre for Youth Work Studies, University of Strathclyde)

HMIE says YES! 
In the 2004 report of their inspection of the Community Learning and Development Service in Dumfries, which took place in Autumn 2003, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) described Dumfries YES as ‘a flagship youth project’ which ‘attracted high numbers of young people from a diverse range of backgrounds.’

It also said that ‘engagement and support were very good’ and ‘staff had developed positive contacts with local and national agencies to assist them reach priority groups of young people.’ The YES ‘produced user-friendly promotional materials influenced by young people’ and ‘learning opportunities were very good.’

Extract: ‘Staff at YES and Oasis worked together effectively, referring young people between them. Staff actively involved young people in influencing programme design and delivery, and had accessed external funding to increase opportunities based on young people’s priorities. Young people progressed naturally from informal to formal learning opportunities. Delivery of learning was good. Staff planned their contribution to activities well and supported young people effectively. They demonstrated discretion and respect for young peoples’ varying needs and levels of maturity.

‘Young people had access to an impressive range of resources, including specialist staff in ICT, the arts and music, and were responsible for updating and refining the YES website. Staff had good links to specialist referral agencies and had arranged integrated health and information services.

‘Young people had provided very positive creative feedback demonstrating their appreciation of the learning experience.’