A training day for people working on the front line with young people has been hailed a success by organisers and participants.
Closer Links was organised by the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service and held at Isle of Man College’s Nunnery Campus in Douglas.
It was attended by 54 people from a range of organisations.
The aim was to enable them to make links with other agencies and open up more opportunities for young people to access positive activities.
Principal youth officer Ken Callister said the event was successful, explaining: ‘Our objective was to encourage the building of closer links between all those who work with young people. We all share a common purpose, to make the Isle of Man a good and a safe place for our young people to grow up.
‘Getting people together to share their experiences and explore the ways in which they could make things even better is a very worthwhile investment.’
Mr Callister said 72 per cent of young people aged 11-19 were involved in positive activities. Research shows young people engaged in activities outside school do better when it comes to exams and getting jobs.
He said: ‘The people attending this conference are making an important contribution to the quality of life we enjoy. They are helping our children achieve in school, raising young people’s aspirations and giving them the opportunity to engage with and contribute to our community.
‘This makes our island a better place for us all to be and makes it an attractive place to come and set up a business.’
Organisations and groups represented included the Isle of Man Youth Service, Scouts, Guides, Crossroads Caring for Carers, The Children’s Centre, volunteers in schools, police, Rushen Silver Band, church youth groups, and Cadets.
Young people from the Soundcheck music project provided high quality lunchtime entertainment, and had the opportunity to explain what their project was about. Young people from the LGBT group helped deliver some sessions.
Attendees described the event as informative and really worthwhile, with one saying it was a good ‘opportunity to network and catch up with colleagues/partners’.