What's New

Taywise Project publishes Survey of 1100 young people 22/05/08

A recent survey of 1100 young people in Dundee and Angus uncovered some worrying statistics concerning their views on safety and violence.

The survey, conducted over 12 months by the Taywise Project at Eighteen And Under, sought views and opinions from young people aged 18 and under about topics such as consultation, volunteering, safety and violence.

Asked what they thought represented the biggest risk to young people, they cited Drugs (59%) Alcohol (45%) Bullying (38%) Gangs (35%) as their top four. Worryingly, 23% of young people were worried about abuse as a threat. One in five knew someone who had experienced violence either on the street or at school. One in ten knew someone who had been raped and the same number knew someone who had been sexually assaulted.

On the subject of consultation, 68% of respondents said that they felt that they were not consulted about things that happen in their local area. Many young people who were approached mentioned that no one ever usually bothered to ask their opinions about anything. Many said that they would like to be consulted about more things locally.

Only a third of respondents felt that there was enough for young people to do in their area, with the majority saying that there was not enough for them to do. Almost half of the young people surveyed would like to have someplace for young people to hang out; but after school clubs, play schemes and Community Centres do not seem to offer what they are looking for.

Click here to download the full survey.

New Teen DVD Launches today 13/04/07

Today, Eighteen And Under launches its latest addition to the universally praised VIP (Violence is Preventable) programme.

The launch coincides with our 13th Birthday, making it an exciting double celebration.

The new Teen VIP DVD, aimed at young people aged fourteen and over, explores a number of sensitive issues such as bullying, racism, domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation in a thoughtful and sensitive way. It will allow teachers, social workers, the police, voluntary organisations and youth leaders to open up useful dialogues with young people about many of the issues they will face as they grow up in today’s society.

The DVD was shot in and around Dundee with a host of young people, playing each of the teenage roles. The adult roles were played by volunteers and supporters of Eighteen And Under.

The actual launch event will take place at The Townhouse Bar, Cowgate, Dundee at 7.30pm. There is also an opportunity to view the video and talk to staff at Eighteen And Under’s premises at 1 Victoria Road, Dundee from 2pm today.

Teen VIP DVD

Launching soon is the new Teen VIP DVD. It's an exciting new resource which explores a number of sensitive issues such as domestic violence, and sexual abuse, in a thoughtful and sensitive way. Click here to see some stills from the DVD.

18u volunteer wins Wave102 Local hero Award

Sandra Hutton was declared the winner of the Wave 102 Local Hero Award at a ceremony held in West Park Conference Centre in Dundee on Friday 24th March 2007.

Sandra won this prestigious award for her work in supporting a local charity Eighteen And Under and for her voluntary work in the community helping disadvantaged children. Click here for more.

Cosy Carpets presents money and gifts

Michael and Tricia from Cosy Carpets today presented a cheque for £150, a cash donation of £50 and three large toys ighteen And Under to Tannith and Holly from our Shadow Management team.

Cosy Carpets has supported Eighteen And Under for many years. They collected the money by selling golf balls over a number of months. The toys were donated by readers who read about their generous donations last Christmas.

A huge 'thank you' to Cosy Carpets and their customers from all of us!

Eighteen And Under Commended for our work with senior citizens

Eighteen And Under, has been recognised for the groundbreaking work we do with senior citizens.

We were shortlisted in the ‘older people’ section of the Community Care Awards 2006 for innovation in social care and received a certificate at the awards ceremony in London.

With a name like Eighteen And Under it's certainly an achievement to get such great recognition for working with this age group. The framed certificate now has pride of place on our wall of fame!

The true spirit of Christmas

With all the stories about the political correctness of Christmas dominating the headlines, it is refreshing to have a story that embodies the true meaning of the festive period.

We received a call recently from a lady who remembered a story she saw last year in the Courier and Evening Telegraph about the support we give to young people who have been abused in some way. Twelve months on, with the idea fresh in her mind, she was calling to say she was buying some gifts to give to the children this year.

True to her word, she came to the door ith three bags full of new toys and games. She wouldn’t give her name or address, just simply wanted to help make Christmas a little better for our young people.

So to this kind lady we say 'Thank you and have a very merry Christmas!'

New Promotional DVD for VIP Project

Eighteen And Under's new promotional DVD for the VIP Project was launched today (27 November 2006).

The DVD will introduce a completely new audience to the programme that is already widely used in schools in Dundee and is starting to be picked up by schools in other areas of Scotland and England. People will see the full range of resources in action and get a flavour of its adaptability for use with children aged 2-18 and vulnerable adults.

The VIP programme tackles the roots of violence and covers racism, sexism, gender issues, relationships and sectarianism. It addresses all violence including bullying, domestic and sexual abuse, physical abuse and exploitation. It includes work on drugs, alcohol and self-harm. It teaches about all aspects of safety in a fun and non-threatening way.

Resources include DVDs, games, songs, workbooks, stories, quizzes and fun activities. The resources are adapted for hearing and visually impaired children and for those with different needs. It is being developed for use with vulnerable adults, such as senior citizens.

Visit the VIP Website to see the DVD or see the link to the DVD on our blog spot

New teens workbook 'Youth Matters' Launched

Eighteen and Under launched a new personal safety and abuse prevention workbook for teenagers today (21 November).

The workbook, entitled YOUTH MATTERS, contains dozens of exercises covering themes such as bullying, racism, homophobia, domestic and sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. The exercises can be done individually, or as part of a group and are designed to provoke thought and discussion.

It’s a welcome addition to the multi award winning VIP (Violence Is Preventable) programme which tackles personal safety and abuse prevention for children and young people aged 2 to 18.

The workbook costs £6 and is available from the VIP online shop.

Some photos of the launch event..

Holly, Alison, Tanith, Calum and Katrina

Some local police officers try out an exercise from the Youth Matters workbook - with a little help from Tannith!

Another group discuss a workbook exercise

Emma gives feedback

Official press photo from launch with PC Small, Laurie, Carol, Irene, Tannith, Holly and Alison.

Carol the artist with her flowers.

click here to see all the photos

TAYWISE project kicks off
The Taywise project has kicked off following receipt of funding from the Scottish Executive. The project works with young runaways, throwaways, drug users and young women involved in sexual exploitation. It offers free and confidential support and information for young people aged 18 and under. Also on offer are diversionary activities, such as groups and sessions based around personal safety and abuse prevention. The project coordinator is Marley Laurie. You can download the leaflet in PDF format here.

Participation in Global Violence Prevention Alliance Confirmed
Eighteen And Under has been accepted as a member of, and formal participant in, the World Health Organisation’s Violence Prevention Alliance.

This Global Alliance aims to change the face of violence prevention by supporting science based efforts to uncover the causes behind violence, including designing and delivering prevention programmes to reduce the causes of violence and keep people from committing violent acts.

In inviting Eighteen And Under to join the alliance, the World Health Organisation cited the charity’s work to prevent violence at local levels by utilising school and community based intervention as ‘very important and necessary in order reduce the incidence of violence.’

The WHO also recognised Eighteen and Under’s commitment to producing a scientific evidence base, and doing much to assist spreading public health violence prevention principles and practices to communities of Scotland where they are most needed.

New educational DVD
The updated DVD, which is used as part of the Wee VIP and Tweenees programme for nurdery and primary school age children was launched in August (see montage from the launch event below) Using various scenarios, it promotes discussion about unsafe situations for young people and demonstrates strategies to deal with them. As well as the 2 versions for nursery and primary children, it also includes both signed and spoken versions of both.

The DVD is part of the multi award winning Violence is Preventable (VIP) programme – a personal safety and abuse prevention programme for children from 3-13 years, teenagers and vulnerable adults. The programme has received national and international recognition for its innovative approach to violence prevention. All of the materials are readily adaptable and are designed to be pulled ‘off the shelf’ and used in schools with relevant groups.

To buy the DVD and see the range of other materials available click here

Newsletter
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Centre Matters is our regular newsletter for volunteers and supporters of Eighteen And Under.

Click here to download the latest version.