The Youth Service of the Department of Education and Children is part of Services for Children and Young People. It has the role of securing, developing and improving the physical, mental and moral welfare of young people in co-operation with voluntary youth organisations. The service provides places to go, things to do and people to talk to. The aim of the service is to 'meet the needs of individuals and groups within the community to enable them to develop their potential to become positive and contributing members of society with a caring and tolerant attitude to others'. Young people choose to use youth service for many reasons - to meet friends, have fun, spend time in a safe environment, take part in specific activities, develop projects with other young people, build relationships with adults or to get help and advice. In turn, youth workers, together with young people develop a programme of activities that promotes personal and social development and which is enjoyable, educational and challenging. |  |
The junior clubs, for those in school Years 4-6, and youth clubs, Years 7-9, provide a varied and balanced programme to cater for the young people in the area.
Junior clubs are activity based, and have staffing ratios of one adult to 15 children. In youth clubs the members have more involvement in the planning and organisation of activities.
The programmes are founded upon the youth work programme of positive activities and vary from club to club, but will typically include sport, crafts, visits to places of interest, drama and outdoor activities such as paddlesports, sailing and exploring the outdoor environment.
For a list of venues and opening times, click here.
Senior clubs provide opportunities for young people to develop and learn new skills in citizenship, alongside social development activities including, arts, music, sport and interaction with other groups.
Young people in these groups are actively involved in the planning and delivery of the youth work programme of activities.
The Department has responsibility for and outdoor centre at Ardwhallan in West Baldwin and provides activities and training for individuals and groups. The centre has the Learning Outside the Classroom quality mark and has Royal Yachting Association and British Canoe Union approval to run accredited courses. For more information click here.
There is a dedicated Youth Arts Centre in Douglas providing a range of courses and activities including, dance, theatre, visual arts and music. For more information click here.
It is also an operating authority for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
For young people who leave school and find themselves in need of employment, education or training, the service runs a programme called FutureU. This helps young people make a successful transition from school into the world of work or find a route into further education or training. For more information click here.
For more information on the Youth Service go to http://www.iomyouth.com Department-owned Youth Services premises are:
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