Background Information

The Corner House Youth Project is a registered charity based in Stockton Town Centre. The work is focused completely on the needs of young people aged 8-21 years. The project is funded from a variety of sources i.e. Children in Need, Positive Futures and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. This cocktail of funding provides a wide range of services for young people in the Borough of Stockton.

Project Principles

The organisation is well placed to deliver the Change for Children agenda - Youth Matters and Every Child Matters outcomes have become integral to our working practices. Working in partnership with a range of organisations we are able to ensure that young people receive services that are well co-ordinated and contribute to the Youth Offer for Stockton.

Young people's participation in the development of our services is paramount to the shape of the organisations current and future activity and we believe in the rights of young people to be heard, valued and respected. This belief forms the basis of our working principles to ensure that young people are supported in their involvement in all stages within their own personnel progression and development, which makes a positive and lasting difference to thier lives. The methodology we use to achieve this is using good youth work practice, delivered by multi-skilled and committed youth workers.

Referral Process

Young people can self refer by calling in to the centre.

Organisations/Agencies by contacting the youth workers direct.

The project takes referrals from a wide range of agencies as well as offering direct access to young people. The referral process identifies the young person's needs, which are then addressed either by group work or individual mentoring (1:1) or in some cases both.

The majority of our client group present with multiple and complex issues. Before a programme of development begins a relationship between mentor and mentee is fundamental. Once this is established and since young people have regular contact with the project (up to five times a week), this can be relatively quick. From this point action plan individual to the young person is created.

Advice and Information

In recognition that some young people feel excluded from mainstream information points, we provide advice and information sessions four days a week. The session is informal with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, at least two youth workers are available to assist young people with almost any issue i.e. housing, benefits, welfare etc.

General Support Work

Accreditation

We are able to offer Junior Sports Leaders award, ASDAN and TROCN accredited courses to young people.

Drug Awareness

Tier 1 drug and alcohol awareness raising is delivered through small group work activities or by supporting individual young people who maybe involved in experimental misuse of substance.

Peer Education

Young people are involved in Peer Education initiatives providing workshops on Bullying and British Citizenship for other young people in the Borough.

Individual Mentoring

I.e. preventing and/or deviating from offending; support whilst leaving care; risk of non-attendance or non-attending.

Taster Sessions

Designed to re-engage young people in to education and/or training.

Life Skills

I.e. Coping with independent living etc.

Social Activities

I.e. Open access youth group sessions throughout the year.

Black Youth Work

We run groups specifically to meet the needs of young black people.

Outreach and Detached Youth Work

Providing support to young people on the streets and hostel accommodation.

Girls Work

We run groups specifically to meet the needs of vulnerable young women.

Sporting Opportunities

As well as taster sessions we can deliver accredited courses i.e. Junior Sports Leader Award.

Holiday Activities

We provide a range of activities during school holidays.