Life is hopefully not just about 'surviving'. You may be going through problems at the moment that take up all your time and thought. But at some point many people start wondering about just what they are doing with their life.
in this section
A change of direction
Volunteering, travel, good deeds
Picture
Get involved / get heard
Take up something new
The Prince's Trust
Young People's Services
For Contact Details see A-Z
A change of direction
If you've been stuck in a rut for too long and need to make some changes, it can be hard knowing what to do to get out of it. Talking it through with someone can really help to see things differently and find the motivation to change or the direction you need. Call in to Castlegate and talk things through with a worker in confidence.
For inspiration, or the confidence to kick-start your ideas, check out the library or bookshops for 'self-help' guides. Available on anything from giving up smoking to giving up a damaging relationship.
Use the internet for free (and get help to get started if you need it) at Castlegate, York Central Library or local libraries. The Central Library has a full information service in the reference library upstairs, learner tasters etc. Acomb Library has a cafe as well as other services. youthinformation.com has lots of ideas. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
Volunteering
Many places welcome volunteers. You can do something worthwhile as well as gain experience for something you want to do later. Find out about volunteering opportunities from the v involved team.
v involved at York CVS is a youth volunteering project for 16-25 year olds. It can offer one-off tasters in volunteering or part-time voluntary work and project opportunities - for example with Khaoz Youth Media khaozradio.co.uk or v involved Youth Action Team, promoting volunteering and youth issues to young people and the York community.
Contact York CVS to find out about the range of local voluntary organisations, to ask about setting up your own or to find funding for a bright idea.
Whether you want to be an artist's assistant, football coach, catering volunteer, community gardener or ebay assistant, there are hundreds of local volunteering opportunities advertised on do-it.org.uk. Apply online or contact v involved at York CVS for more information. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
There are also adverts for lots of interesting volunteering opportunities in the weekly Big Issue magazine - £2 from badged vendors around the city centre.
Nightstop need volunteers to put up young homeless people in their own home on a nightly basis, to provide transport or help with administration. Training provided. Could you or your family help?
Network 2 need volunteer mentors (18+) to work one to one with young people who have been socially or educationally excluded or are at risk of being so. Training provided.
You can volunteer in your local Youth Club at any age - even if you are still a member! York Young People's Services have details of youth clubs and who to contact.
York BTCV offer people of any age the opportunity to learn practical conservation skills, see the countryside and improve and maintain local wildlife sites.
The Princes Trust offers volunteering opportunities locally, nationally and overseas. See also here. For Contact Details see our A-Z.
| jump to last picture | |
See the world
Work abroad. For example, 'Camp America' and similar schemes offer the chance to work with kids in holiday camps in the USA in return for your keep and time at the end to travel around.
'InterRail' gives you unlimited train travel in Europe for one month and is a great way to see our continent. Details from any main train station or travel centre. Join the International Youth Hostel Association before you go at York Youth Hostel.
You can get cheap rail or bus deals in the UK too - why not spend a fortnight seeing Scotland?
Do good deeds
Save someone's life by giving blood. Search online at
blood.co.uk
for the next session in your area, or for more information about blood doning. You can give blood from
17.
Raise money for a charity that is important to you. Or take part in a fundraising holiday - lots of charities now offer the chance to do
something exciting (like cycling across the Andes) provided you raise
sponsorship.
Practice 'random acts of kindness' on total strangers as well as those you know. Say hello and smile at people. Start up conversations in shops and on the bus.
Get involved / Get heard
The Voice and Influence Project supports young people in getting heard and changing things for the better in York. Get involved in consultations about young people's issues, giving out funding for other projects for young people or campaigning to change something you care about. For example they have helped young people campaign for leisure facilities, cheaper transport, and to change mental health services for young people. For more information about getting involved locally look at the YorSay section of yor-ok.org.uk
Vote - it may only be every few years, but everyone over 18 still has a right to elect leaders both of our Local Council and our Government. If you are not registered to vote, ring the City of York Council and ask for the Guildhall, or register online at aboutmyvote.co.uk. You can join the electoral register at any time, even if you are homeless.
Take up something new
'Evening' classes are available in all sorts of subjects, whether just for fun or to gain a qualification. Lip reading, Italian, tap dancing, bricklaying, photography... at various times and places. see here.
Want to try a new sport, learn a new hobby or meet people who like what you do? York Central Library and yortime.org.uk have information about what's on in York. Yortime is a guide to local clubs and organisations. If you're looking for something to do, use the events calendar and groups directory to make the most of your time.
yor-ok.org.uk can also tell you what's on offer for young people (activities, sports, youth groups etc) and how to get involved in decision making.
The Prince's Trust
... works with young people 14-25 who need some help to overcome problems and get their lives working. They run a number of different schemes for free, offering the chance to develop your skills and confidence and reach your potential. These include:
• Development grants of £50 to £500 to help you get into education, training or employment. See here for more information.
• Community Cash Awards - of up to £5000 for young people to design and set up projects as volunteers that will benefit local communities - for example a youth cafe or community radio.
For more information call the Princes Trust helpline or look online at princes-trust.org.uk.
Young People's Services
Across the city, area youth work teams run many things for young people in their local communities; youth clubs, drop-ins, girls groups, boy groups, holiday activities. You could get involved with sports, arts, trips, quizzes, DJ-ing, cooking, film-making, drama, dance; or just hang out with mates. You can also find information, support and guidance in your local centre, with Connexions Advisers too. Contact your local team for more information. They can also offer:
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The opportunity to do activities that develop new skills, help others and experience adventure - and get accreditation too.
• Zoo Skatepark. Sessions for absolute beginners through to experienced skaters and bladers, girl's only etc.
• The Basement Multi-media Youth Project at City Screen offers film, drama and music. e.g. Tuesday evenings for film, Wednesday evenings for music, Thursday evenings for DJ workshops from Upfaders, Saturday mornings for film project.
• Momentum on 2 Wheels. A 30 hour programme about motorbikes; riding, maintaining and respecting them.
For Contact Details see our A-Z. under Young People's Services.