Small groups (by this we mean organisations with a turnover of less than £20,000 a year, or with one or fewer paid employees) working with children, young people and families have told us about what support they would like from Young Lives Leeds. We have listened to this, and put together a new programme of support and guidance for small groups:

 

Shadowing Young Lives Leeds Advocates

Small groups told us that they would like to be kept updated on discussions that are taking place at a strategic level that may impact on the services they provide. YLL advocates attending strategic meetings on your behalf to influence decision making and invite you to shadow them at meetings. This offer includes:

• A chat with the Advocate before the meeting, so they can explain the structure and the opportunities to input
• Attending the meeting itself – these usually take place online
• A chat with the Advocate after the meeting to follow up any queries and explain next steps

Board	Advocate	Frequency
Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND)/Special Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) Partnership	Esme Winston Little – Family Services Manager at Leeds Mencap	Quarterly
14/19 Partnership Board	Carl Harrison – Chief Executive Officer at LS-Ten	Quarterly
Early Help Board	Julia Preston – Chief Executive Officer at Gipsil Ltd Janina Macheta – Operational Manager at Family Action	Currently on Pause
Children & Families Scrutiny Board	Laura Whitaker – Operations Director Children, Young People and Family Services at Barca Leeds	Monthly
Trauma Development Group	Helen Hart – Chief Executive Officer at Barca Leeds	Quarterly
Future in Mind Board	Emma Holmes – Chief Executive Officer at Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service	Quarterly

 

Bitesize Bulletin

Small groups told us they want to be kept informed, especially around new funding and training opportunities, but in a format that is quicker and easier to digest. We’ve produced a new, bitesize monthly bulletin featuring highlights from funding and training, spotlights on a different small group each month, and we’ll be breaking down some of the bigger agendas across the city.

Sign up for the bitesize bulletin here

 

Small groups network

Small groups told us they would like to be better connected with other small groups that work with children, young people and families, to share information, ideas and good practice. If you are interested in joining a WhatsApp group with other small group or would prefer to meet with other groups in person, please contact ann.crossland@val.org.uk.

 

Other support

Small groups who are a member of Young Lives Leeds will benefit from the following opportunities:

• Meet at least twice a year with the Chair of Young Lives Leeds and advocates from the Boards.
• The chance for small groups to be involved in consultations and input to discussions around Children’s services.
• A chance to share best practice with similar sized organisations.
• Peer support from network members
• Access to support from VAL including Training, Funding Advice
• Opportunity to join VAL hosted Networks including Culturally Diverse Hub, Third Sector Leeds, Volunteer Managers Network