Are you currently unemployed? Do you want an exciting project to work on where you can use your skills and learn and develop new talents? Do you like working with young people? Can you be creative and enthusiastic?

If so, read on because the Youth Involvement Project might be what you are looking for!

What is YIP about & what can it do for me?

YIP is a project designed to work with young people. We do this in a variety of ways:

• Hype - a free youth magazine that has 10,000 copies distributed throughout Southampton's schools, youth clubs, colleges and libraries. Hype is produced and designed by the YIP team. It is aimed at 14 - 18 year olds and tackles subjects and issues that affect young people i.e. drugs, crime and lifestyles. Hype aims to find out the views, opinions and ideas of young people in the city and get them to interact with the YIP team in the final design and production of the magazine. Hype is a fun and informative way of reaching out to a variety of young people across Southampton, whilst supporting those seeking full-time employment to generate new skills and abilities, whilst having a really unique opportunity

• One of the Youth Involvement Project's main aims is to consult with young people across the city and give them an opportunity to participate - to date, young people citywide have had the opportunity to get involved in different projects, for example, the creation of a research video, or getting involved in Hype and writing articles alongside the established team. Giving them a chance to have a voice about issues that affect them and talking to their peers via a different media.

• We would like to be able to give New Deal clients a chance to use their skills to train and help develop other young people across the city. This includes; organising forums based around issues decided by young people, conducting workshops based on current YIP skills i.e. web design, journalism and graphics. YIP aims to facilitate a program of fun and developmental activities that encompass the participation of young people in citizenship and the democratic process.

How does it work & what support will I receive?

YIP is organised and run primarily by Southampton City Council Youth Service, however working in conjunction with the Wheatsheaf Trust, the project researchers, photographers, website designers and writers are on a New Deal scheme and work within the project from 6 weeks to 6 months. All those working at the YIP office through New Deal have the opportunity to learn new skills and develop their current knowledge for example; journalism, research, web design, interpersonal skills, communication and team work.

YIP and the Wheatsheaf Trust offer an opportunity for people to gain as much experience as they can, so they can positively move forward in searching for a new career and new opportunities.

How can I sign up?

If you have been unemployed for six months or over, and believe that you have something to offer the project and believe that the project can provide you with the new skills and confidence that you are looking for, then speak to your employment advisor today at your local Employment Office and come and join the YIP team. The hours required by the employment service are 30 per week. The project is open evenings, weekdays and weekends, therefore flextime is an option.

New Deal clients are the foundation of our future goals and you will be able to support the development of your city's young citizens. Empowering young people to draw on their strengths whilst demonstrating your own.

© 2004-2008 Youth Involvement Project