About
In February 2009 The Government announced its commitment to developing a comprehensive cultural offer that will ensure that all children and young people no matter where they live or what their background have the chance to participate in at least five hours of high quality culture a week in and out of school.
Youth Arts Development Worker Clare Mitchell tells us all about the steps Warwickshire are taking to make this happen for our young people
There is no doubt that Warwickshire, (despite being a shire county with no city centre) has a great wealth of cultural activity taking place. Currently young people can participate in award winning youth jazz orchestras and youth theatres, receive the benefits of excellent educational partnerships with world class business such as the RSC and can grow their own grass roots delivery by working with individual artists and community arts leaders. All of which is extremely vital to sustaining a strong cultural offer for children and young people in Warwickshire and essential to meeting the demands of a rigorous cultural offer.
While our young people shine on stage and screen, behind the scenes (if you’ll excuse the pun) are the hidden efforts of a small but evolving partnership group who are striving to work closer and smarter to ensure a more connected and purposeful cultural offer for children and youth people.
Beginning as a pilot back in 2003 and housed in a voluntary sector partners (WAYC) Warwickshire youth arts network (WYAN) was funded by Arts Council West Midlands to test the possibility of a network for youth arts deliverers. Now 5 years, a rebrand, and a new website later, the partnership are even more committed the cause of supporting the arts as a means of meeting Every Child Matters.
Warwickshire Youth Arts Network (WYAN) currently has 5 key partners who act as a steering group they are The Youth and Community Service, County Music Service, County Arts Service ( also rep Museums Libraries and Heritage) , Arts in Warwickshire Education and Warwickshire Council for Voluntary Youth Service and the voluntary sector. Over the next year in response to side by side and the cultural offer key areas of work have been identified as advocacy and information sharing (though WYANconnect meetings and training events and website) ,exploring joint practice (as a means of enhancing the cultural offer to young people and extended our own delivery and connectedness) and perhaps most importantly youth involvement which will enable young people to take charge of the cultural offer and become key partners in our delivery of cultural services.
The group are very keen to reach further in supporting all sections of the directorate who are interested in the using the arts as a means of working with young people.
If you would like to know more about WYAN or become a network member
Contact
Clare Mitchell (Youth Arts Development Worker) claremitchell@warwickshire.gov.uk Tel; 01926 742486 www.wyan.org.uk
Warwickshire Youth and Community Service,
WAYC and WCVYS (Voluntary Sector Youth Service)
AWE (Arts in Warwickshire Education) ( blurb to follow)
County Arts Service (also representing district and borough officers)
County Music Service
MEET THE PARTNERS
WARWICKSHIRE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
WCVYS
Warwickshire Children and Voluntary Youth Services
Helping you to help Children and Young People
What is WCVYS?
WCVYS is an umbrella organisation that brings together the major voluntary children and youth organisations in Warwickshire.
The focus of WCVYS is to support county and district wide voluntary organisations that empower children and young people and give them somewhere to go, something to do and someone to listen. Our members
· support local groups to increase opportunities for children and young people
· deliver services to vulnerable children and young people
WCVYS is affiliated to the National Council for Voluntary Services, NCVYS, which has established an effective communication with Central Government and lobbies on children’s and young people’s interests.
Through our membership WCVYS has links with over 40 organisations, 400 groups, 2,000 workers and over 20,000 children and young people.
How is WCVYS managed?
WCVYS has a Board of Trustees who manage the organisation. They are elected at the Annual General Meeting and meet regularly throughout the year. In addition a number of sub groups meet to support the organisation in delivering its aims.
Who should join us?
All voluntary organisations working with children and young people may apply for membership.
Our members include the county wide uniformed organisations, voluntary youth organisations; faith based youth organisations and independent voluntary sector organisations who deliver services to children and young people in Warwickshire.
Benefits of Membership
Strengthening and Influencing the Sector: WCVYS sits on a number of key partnerships to champion the sector and support consultations and engagement on key issues affecting us locally and nationally.
Voice for Children and Young People within the Voluntary Sector: we offer support in achieving the Warwickshire Award for Involvement and work with our members to support the voice of children and young people being heard within Warwickshire.
Best Practice and Information Sharing: to help you understand national and local policies and procedures, support partnership working and access training across Warwickshire.
Professional Support: we have a small team that can listen, offer guidance and practical support to help you in delivering services for children and young people.
Funding: WCVYS supports access to funding for our members and gives regular updates on funding opportunities. Visit our website for current information on funding and deadlines for the WCVYS grants. www.warkscvys.org.uk
Networking: meet other children and youth workers on a regular basis sharing experiences, ideas, good practice and support the development of partnership working.
Promotion of your Organisation: you can promote your organisation through the WCVYS database, website and newsletter.
Contact Information:
WCVYS
Suite One, Arden Court
Arden Street
STRATFORD UPON AVON
CV37 6NT
Telephone: 01926 413611
E-mail: wcvys@warwickshire.gov.uk
Website: www.warkscvys.org.uk
COUNTY MUSIC SERVICE
The Warwickshire County Music Service is part of the Children, Young People and Families Directorate of Warwickshire County Council.
We believe that Every Child’s Music Matters. It is the right of all young people to experience music making. Our activities are designed to reach as many people.
We provide:
· Inclusion in playing and singing through a variety of activities including a very
· large Wider Opportunities programme, school and area workshops and events,
· and a comprehensive Live Music in Schools programme
· Instrumental, vocal and class music tuition to over 11,500 Warwickshire
· pupils
· ‘Stepped’ and highly enjoyable Youth Music activities for all in localities and
· area
· County orchestras, bands, choirs and smaller groups that rehearse and
· perform music in local, national and international venues
· A variety of high quality County Performance groups that rehearse and perform
· a wide range of music in local, national and international venues
CMS also offers a host of other activities and services, including music therapy, curriculum advice, and music technology resources and support. See about us for more information.
WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY ARTS SERVICE
Who we are
Emma Andrews - Head of Arts Service
Cathryn Ravenhall - Community Arts Officer
Laura Kenwright - Assistant Arts Officer
The County Arts Service works to provide the following services throughout Warwickshire:
Partnerships: We initiate, support and broker partnerships with a wide range of art and non arts organisations to help develop the arts across the county, and raise the profile of the arts within Warwickshire, regionally and nationally.
Arts Development Advice : on topics such as project development, funding, signposting and networking across a variety of art forms.
Community Arts Development : we offer advice and support to groups within the community and voluntary sector to develop arts projects and initiatives.
Support Artists and Arts Organisations : we offer signposting and support for artists and organisations within Warwickshire. We also fund a portfolio of professional arts organisations to deliver performances workshops and activities throughout the county.
Funding: We offer advice and support on arts funding and grant applications.
The wider reach of WYAN includes • Children in need, • Connexions, • YOS, • Museums heritage and libraries, • Individual artist and arts organisations • Young People
Current stakeholders in WYAN are
