Yesterday I was asked to appear on BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme ( hosted by Wendy Austin ) to join in a discussion with Basil McCrea MLA about David Cameron's new initiaive : The "National Service" pilot scheme.
When I initially heard of this new scheme I was rather sceptical. My knee-jerk reaction was that this is going to be another quick fix scheme to make the statistics look good and to get the kids off the streets. But I went away and did my homework and returned alot more enthusiastic.
Before I go any further, I want to stress that this is not a political post. It's not really my bag to foist my political opinions on others - so you can rest assured that this is not a partisan rant.
How this scheme will work.
As reported in The Times, this plan is geared toward "galvanising a disaffected generation ... by getting teenagers from mixed social and racial backgrounds together and join in local community activities".
The framework ( as I understand it ) runs a bit like this :
The youngsters choose an interest ( Music, Engineering, Sport, Drama ... ) and are grouped accordingly into teams of 12 - supported by a mentoring system.
Week 1 : Outdoor challenges & team building : The kids will get to know each other as they will be working closely together over the next couple of months
Week 2 : Skills and Service : The participants will live away from home for the week ( eg: University Halls ) where each day is geared to serving separate sections of the community ( elderly, the young ).
Using their chosen interest they have to build a plan to serve their community ( eg : Coaching kids football, entertaining the elderly with a play )
Week 3 : Social Action : The teams will be given an allocated neighbourhood in their community and by talking to the locals the teenagers will have to create a project that will deliver a tangible benefit to that area. At the end of the week each team will have to give a Dragons-Den style pitch to gain funding to implement their proposal.
Weeks 4-8 : Ongoing Social Action : The teams will implement their project. They will also have to create a community day to bring all the locals together.
OK - so alot of this might all be Tory rhetoric ( I have decided to remain open-minded ). Understandably there are also, a number of obvious hurdles. But there are a number of pilot schemes that are currently running and reports coming out are that both the youngsters and the communities seem have have benefitted and enjoyed their experience.
Why are we all so negative ?
I feel that the media have given this scheme some rather unfortunate labels : 'National Service' and 'Boot-camp' seem to conjur up rather negative connotations. These schemes could be fun and empowering - instead we are making it sound like a punishment. Having a look at many of the online comments - it's clear that those promoting the scheme have a bit of an uphill battle.
One of the listeners on the radio discussion commented ( and I paraphrase ) that .. "this boot-camp is a great idea as kids these days get up after mid-day and hang around the streets in gangs creating trouble. The scheme will fail because the teenagers just couldn't be bothered to sign up."
Sir Michael Caine commented that when he was a teenager, he was in a gang. Not with the intention to beat anybody up - but to ensure that he was not beaten up himself. I believe that many of today's disengaged youngsters probably don't want to be in the situations that they are in. So lets give them some hope.
This scheme ( under advice from youth group volunteers ) is not compulsory. We therefore need to incentivise those teenagers who are disillusioned with 'the system' and encourage them to sign-up.
Perhaps with vouchers from local businesses ?
Let us each take responsibility.
Are we all too weary to make an effort anymore ?
I feel ( especially at the minute with this economic climate ) that to make a difference it is up to each and every one of us to step up to the mark and to take responsibility. We should not rely solely on the Government to answer all the problems - but if each of us made an effort to change just a little part of our community - what a difference we could make collectively.
Instead of further alienating the youngsters, why not encourage them and try and give them some support to make a difference. The easy option is to write them off. I am glad that I am not a teenager in today's world - there are so many more pressures and expectations. If the adults don't take these initiatives on board why should the younger generation bother ?
This scheme will only succeed if the Government receives support from local businesses and community groups. Whilst I appreciate that the Government needs to provide strong leadership we all should take ownership.
So as a small business owner - and a mother of two teenagers - I would like to say :
Where do I sign up ?
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I am a true believer in personal and small group action as a way to make a difference. I think that any opportunity that youth have to join together and do something powerful that facilitates bonding and growth is good. And I have heard it said that we, the people, are the government.
ReplyDeleteI love your last comment Levonne. So true. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI hope alls well with you.