How are we doing?

QUOTE:
‘The YES has helped me in so many ways. I started accessing the YES in 2002 when I was still at school. The YES has helped me achieve so much. I used to be really shy and would never dream of getting up in front of people and talking but now I don’t even have to think twice.’ Young woman, 19

The YES is going from strength to strength. The number of visits to the service by young people and their participation in projects and events continues to rise, following a temporary dip in 2002 – 2003, when the service was re-launching and reestablishing itself after the move to new premises.

Between 4 June 2004 – 30 June 2005, staff logged 4302 ‘covers’ or young people coming into the YES, compared to 2440 between 2001 – 2002. Of the 4302, 1354 were involved in project work. The total number of enquiries has increased from 2907 in 2001 – 2002 to 3385 in 2004 – 2005.

Visits and enquiries (statistics collected June – June each year)

2001 - 2002
Total client visits = 2440 Total enquiries = 2907

2002 - 2003
Total client visits = 1757 Total enquiries = 2164

2003 - 2004
Total client visits = 3073 Total enquiries = 3510

2004 - 2005
Total client visits = 4302* Total enquiries = 3385 (*including project work at 1354)

Feedback
Feedback from young people continues to be overwhelmingly positive: ‘Friendly, relaxed, enthusiastic, useful and well used environment,’ (anon, 17); ‘The relationships that have formed between staff and the young people helps make the YES what it is. This makes the YES a friendly environment and makes it easier for other young people to get involved,’ (young woman, 18); ‘I looked forward to being 12 so I could come in,’ (young woman, 13).

Older volunteers and visiting workers have also been supportive: ‘The Youth Enquiry Service provides an excellent and unprecedented range of information and services for young people in Dumfries. From drop-ins to counselling sessions, from helping sort out your CV to organising large scale events, their talented, dedicated and professional staff have helped countless young people to achieve their dreams since 1993, and I am proud to continue their great work by volunteering to help others achieve theirs as I have mine,’ (young man, 22); ‘Wish I had this service when I was younger,’ (worker, 36);

However, there has been a request for ‘more opening hours,’ (young woman, 15). Another client commented: ‘You could not ask for better staff/workers/ friends/family or whatever you want to call them. As a volunteer and a regular visitor of the YES they have all been as supportive as possible, although they do have too much paperwork to do!’ (young woman, 18)

In terms of quantifiable personal achievements, 16 young people are awaiting formal assessment and accreditation Youth Achievement Awards. YES volunteer, Sam Kerr, won a Young Learner of the Year Award in 2004, and was soon elected as an MSYP (Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament) soon after.

QUOTE:
‘This place is rockin!’ (anon, aged 14);