Up2U has been well received and praised by pupils, teachers and parents, as well as being positively supported by the Borders Drug and Alcohol Action Team.
The use of peer educators has proven to be a success and the fact that Up2U has continued to develop from its beginnings in 1998 is a testament to all the people who have been involved including young people, volunteers, school staff, agency staff and project staff.
Its success is down to ‘young people talking to young people’.
Up2U provides genuine volunteering opportunities to young people from around Tweeddale, allowing them to take an active part in the management and steering of the various sub-groups within the organisation.
Skills
In addition to providing up to date information and a contact point for young people, Up2U focuses on the personal development of the individual member by helping them to improve:
- confidence
- communication skills
- presentation skills
- listening skills.
Up2U members have used their experiences with the group to enhance their curriculum vitae as well as university, college or job applications.
Members often return to volunteer once they have left school.
The Young People’s Advocacy Project volunteers have benefited from their involvement, developing their interpersonal skills and capacities for offering support to others.
Involving pupils actively in the organisation and management of the project has been very important in making it a success.
While the project worker is independent of the school they work closely with the school staff and others to ensure that all agencies involved in the project work together and have a clear understanding of each other’s roles. This is an important aspect of partnership working.
