The National Youth Reference Group (NYRG) is a collective of young people aged 16-25 in England, primarily focused on improving involvement opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness. They have delivered numerous conferences and training sessions, collaborated with various organizations, and actively participate in shaping policies to address homelessness. The group emphasizes the importance of listening to young people's perspectives and offers strategies to enhance their involvement and reduce isolation.

1. National Youth Reference Group
Youth Talks Event 2014

2. Stand Up – Sit Down !

3. It’s All About You!
You
You
You
You
You
YouYou
You
YouYou

4. • The National Youth Reference Group is made up of
young people aged 16-25 from England, who have
experienced or are currently experiencing
homelessness.
• The project has been set up and supported by The
Department for Communities and Local Government.
• The group is available to assist National and Local
Government and homeless agencies and councils to
improve involvement opportunities for young people.
About us …..

5. Membership

6. • Delivered x 200 Conferences, training sessions,
workshops and consultations – across England
• Produced x4 ‘National Tool Kits’ – which have been
developed into interactive workshops and delivered to
professionals in Housing, Health, Employment and
Education – called ‘Getting It Right For Young People’
• Presented at the European Parliament during 2011 – as
part of International Tenants Day
• Delivered a National Youth-led conference to 157
delegates on 17 May 2012 and assessed the ‘impacts’
NYRG a few highlights

7. National Youth Reference Group
Pay ahead stay ahead

8. National Youth Reference Group
Pay ahead stay ahead
MONEY
MONEY
MONEY

9. PAY AHEAD STAY AHEAD
• PASA
• 3 year program aimed at improving the
financial confidence of 16-24 yr olds in
Birmingham area
• Ashram funded by Big Lottery Birmingham
• NYRG Involvement – consultations, young
peoples training, staff training, promotional
workshops

10. PROVIDE QUALITY TRAINING WORKSHOPS

11. National Youth Reference Group
Pay ahead stay ahead
http://youtu.be/lEA-uqzI2G0

12. National Youth Reference Group
outh Homeless Parliament
http://youtu.be/mIQCD0koKeg

13. National Youth Reference Group
Youth Homeless Parliament
• The National Youth Homeless Parliament WORKING IN Partnership
– YMCA England
– Centrepoint
– St Basils
– Foyer Federation
– Crisis
– National Youth Reference Group
– St Mungo’s
– DePaul UK
– Forum Housing
• Training program to all National Youth Reference Group and Youth Homeless
Parliament Members
• National Steering Group
• Membership 100 young people
• The Main Event - December

14. National Youth Reference Group
Youth Homeless Parliament
MPs and Ministers are able to;
• Capture young people’s perspective on existing services.
• Take advise on the development of strategies to prevent and
tackle homelessness and achieve sustainable outcomes in adult
life
• Consult on how to engage young people locally in developing
and monitoring Government, Policies and in managing and
delivering strategies and services.

15. • We can improve your service – by giving views so that you make your
services relevant – this saves money !
• We can influence professionals – changing hearts and minds ‘stuff’
• We can develop opportunities for other young people
• We can tell ‘real’ stories of our experiences
• We are passionate about being involved
• We can reduce our own feeling of isolation
• We can meet new people and make new friends
• We can break down the negative attitudes towards young homeless people
• We can develop our communication, teambuilding skills and self esteem
• We can experiences new things
• We can feel motivated and challenged
• We can get involved in other external opportunities such as local
neighbourhood groups, Boards and community initiatives
Why Involve Young People?

16. 1. Take risks and involve us
2. Find out how we want to be
involved
3. Be creative and flexible
4. Be prepared to listen to us
5. If our involvement does not
work - don’t give up on us –
try again
NYRG TOP TEN

17. 6. Use as many forms of communication as
possible
7. Feedback is the key to ‘successful’ Involvement
– let us know the outcome of our feedback
8. Young people need to see the IMPACT of their
involvement
9. Value our involvement – expenses,
qualifications, references, CV, etc
10.REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW
NYRG TOP TEN

18. Telling it straight
Young people experiences

20. One thing I am going to take away
and do as a result of today is…
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It’s the little things that
make a difference
Getting it Right for Young People