Giving power to young people through youth engagement: A community action plan

Download this community action plan for practical ways to give power to young people, through creative approaches to engagement.

Good youth engagement is about giving power to young people. It creates the opportunity for young people to develop their skills and confidence and means supporting young people to take the lead in decision-making.

This action plan, full of practical tips and guidance, will help you to:

• identify the fundamentals you need to consider before you get started
• build frameworks of trust, empowerment and care with young people in your community
• use co-design to effectively build engaging programmes with young people
• consider awards schemes and the benefits of accrediting young peoples’ achievements.

It also includes insights from Layba and Serena, youth volunteers at Heston West Big Local, as well as examples of how the Heston West Big Local Film Club and PRIMEdesign, a community skateboarding project, have successfully engaged young people in creative activities.

Download the action plan

Heston West Big Local’s community filmmaking project connects filmmaking and community work

Over the last seven years at Heston West Big Local in London, young people have created documentaries, short films, music videos and community-related content as part of the Heston West Big Local Film Club.

This has provided an opportunity for young people in the community to learn about leadership, communication and to build creative skills in a safe, friendly and fun environment. It’s also given them unique access to the film industry, and an opportunity to network and visit film studios and festivals, to gain new skills and work experience.

The club also offers an opportunity for young people to actively contribute to and connect with the local community and other Big Local projects. This has enabled them to gain skills that the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, employers and universities value.

Activities like film club are really important for young people. It gives us creative agency to make content on topics important to us. It’s also an opportunity to develop our skills which will help us in the future. The confidence it gives young people is massive.”

Serena, Heston West Big Local

Photo: Heston West film club Credit: Heston West Big Local

The freedom and creativity that come with the film club really shaped who I am today because I was able to express myself from so many different ways.”

Layba, Heston West Big Local 

Download the action plan