Youth Participation and Community Engagement in Britain Report

This report delves into the multifaceted concept of youth community engagement, focusing specifically on the context of Britain. It begins by defining community engagement and its objectives, emphasizing collaborative efforts to address societal well-being. The report outlines different levels of participation, including identifying needs, generating solutions, planning initiatives, service delivery, and the roles of users, advisors, contributors, decision-makers, and program implementers. The core of the report examines youth engagement, its significance, and its grounding in two key theories: youth development and attachment theory. The report further explores the benefits of youth involvement, such as skill development, leadership abilities, and a sense of purpose. It then identifies specific barriers to youth engagement in Britain, including a low culture of positive engagement, lack of capacity, and the need for skill development. The report concludes by discussing the role of democratic participatory initiatives in overcoming these barriers and promoting meaningful youth involvement in community development.

Participation and Community
Engagement

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Level of participation...................................................................................................................1
Youth Community engagement...................................................................................................2
Ways implemented by democracy and participation for overcoming the barriers......................6
CONCLSUION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Community engagement can be determined as a process of working collaboratively with
groups in order to address the issues that have negative impact on well being of the society.
When taking about companies, it includes engagement like transparent and credible reporting,
collaborative decision making, etc. (Habibi, Laroche and Richard, 2014). Main purpose of
community engagement is to understand the priorities or requirement of society, to identify the
problems that are faced within the society of groups and to take up appropriate actions to solve
them, etc. This report is focused on engagement of youth in Britain. It covers that barriers that
are faced by youth engagement in Britain. Further, it also includes ways through which
democratic participatory initiatives may over the barriers for youth engagement.
Level of participation
There are different ways in which participation is possible. In this context, below given
are the different aspects that have to be covered in participation:
Identifying needs: There is various type of issues that are faced by people within the
society (Dyer, Stringer and Muhorro, 2014). Due to this, they are not able to live their lives or
they are being neglected from the society.
Generating solution: Many parties are involved due to which the conflict world have
taken place. In this context, it is important to determine appropriate solution of the problem that
is identified.
Planning new initiatives: To solve any problem, there is various type of alternative ways
that can be considered with the help of which the issue can be solved (Alicea-Alvarez, Reeves
and Jones, 2016).
Service delivery: To enact the initiatives taken, it requires to have people who will be
supportive enough to overcome the problem.
Apart from this, there are five basic levels that are involved in relation with the
participation. The levels are as follows:
 Users and beneficiaries are involved in funds and activities of the partnership. In order to
plan for any of the issues that have to considered, it requires to have proper planning
made in respect with activities and the fund that will be included (Sarrami-Foroushani,
Travaglia and Braithwaite, 2014).
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 Then it includes advisers who making their involvement through working parties,
consultation and evaluations. They are helpful enough to provide feedback and guidance
to others in respect with the plan that is to be implemented.
 Contributors to management make sure that proper supervision is done to staffs so that
activities can be performed in partnership (Malik, Chapain and Comunian, 2017).
 Decision makers are the one who primarily through their membership of partnership
board. These are helpful enough to take up appropriate steps so that they are able to make
strategic choices and other related major decisions.
 Lastly, there are programmes on behalf of the partnership. Further, local successor bodies
developed take over programmes and projects from partnership (Farnsworth, Böse and
Hodgins, 2014).
Youth Community engagement
Youth engagement can be determined as meaningful sustained and participation
involvement of young individuals for an activity. The main focus for this is done for the
betterment of the society (Waterton and Watson, 2013). Further, community is defined to a
geographical boundaries that is developed by municipalities, school environment or
neighbourhood. There are many different type of researches that are carried out. Among one of
the research, there are two theories which are grounded. These are attachment theory and youth
development theory.
Youth development theory: In accordance with this theory, it is based on building resilient
communities in which all the youth involved are surrounded by adult support. Main focus is
made so that appropriate support capacity is provided to youth at the time of need (Curtis, Ross
and Syme, 2014). On the other hand, for non resilient communities it lacks such type of capacity.
When communities are created, then it becomes favourable enough for the youth to adapt and
overcome adversities. Further, relationship develop by youth with adult community will enable
to develop value within the mind of youth. This is a positive aspect that enables to raise
involvement of youth and their contribution will support for development of the society.
Attachment theory: This theory is helpful to explain the need and function of long term
meaningful relationships (Rinkus, Kramer and Dobson, 2016). It is in the field of psychology in
which attachment theory is applied to explain the relationship requirement of infant and
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caregiver. It is important to determine the relationship that it has so as to ensure emotional and
social development of child. Similarly, youth attachment can be seen in same sense in order to
develop strong relationship with other adults of the community. This way, it becomes helpful to
demonstrate increased community action and social participation (Sallnow and Paul, 2015). In
addition to this, it also enables to transform the community from a shared space for the set of
psychological bond among members.
When youth are involved to take part in community, then it positive affects their
development. They are able to develop sense of responsibility and form need of support that they
should deliver to society (Cunningham, Wallston and Miller, 2015). There are certain set of
skills that are required for performing any type of activity. With the help of youth involvement,
they are able to develop their leadership skills effectively. Further, they get to realize the power
they possess and they get to know that they can influence decision making at school or
community level. This way, they are able to take up steps through which decisions are taken.
Further, a person to develop their skills is possible when they learn from the situations that are
faced by them (Habibi, Laroche and Richard, 2014). The skills that a person possesses are not
important that others also possess those skills. In this context, when individuals get involved in
some kind of activities, they it enables to develop skills which is formed from the situations that
are faced. It is identified that individuals who are involved in community efforts at very young
age have the skills for problem solving and decision making when compared with other people.
Moreover, individuals who are involved in empowerment of community have the capability to be
future leaders. When these type of skills are developed at very young age, then it becomes
favourable enough to serve youth well in different type of life endeavours (Dyer, Stringer and
Muhorro, 2014). Further, it also enables them to have proper interaction with adults and they can
provide youth with appropriate guidance. When a person grows older, then they get to learn and
develop their understanding in all the type of situation that they face. When adults provide
guidance, then it is helpful enough for taking up appropriate steps for decision making.
Apart from building up leadership skills, making youth engage in community enables to
develop sense of purpose and belonging among youth (Alicea-Alvarez, Reeves and Jones, 2016).
When youth get to understand that they are being recognized and considered, then it will be
favourable enough, then they feel that they are the part of community. It is important for the
members of the community understand the requirements in effective manner and take up
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appropriate steps so that all the youth are involved and take part in the activities. This way,
community becomes a place where adults and youth share their views. Different people have
diverse set of perception and preferences (Sarrami-Foroushani, Travaglia and Braithwaite, 2014).
The type of suggestions that will be given by individuals will be different. When adults and
youth together get involved in making up decisions, then it will be favourable enough to take an
effective step. When decisions are taken together, then it enables to develop strong both with
each other and youth will feel comfortable to share their views or sharing ideas (Malik, Chapain
and Comunian, 2017). This is possible when all the member respect and involve and get
suggestion from each other.
The issue related with traditional problem behaviour can be solved when youth are
empowered and involved in community. When youth feel disengaged, then it creates problem
related with behaviour (Farnsworth, Böse and Hodgins, 2014). In a young age, individuals do not
have proper understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Youth who are involved in
community are less likely to make use of alcohol and drugs. In other words, individuals are not
like to even get involved in any type of criminal activity. This way, it can be stated that people
become responsible and they get to have a focus and they know how to act for different type of
situations.
Within Britain, there are different types of issues that are faced by youth so as to make
them engaged. In this context, below given are the barriers that are faced by youth in Britain:
Low culture of positive engagement: In order to perform any type of work, it requires to
have a sense for performing it. This is developed when youth at the initial stage they develop
willingness or interest for the same (Waterton and Watson, 2013). Youth of the Britain is not
aware of the responsibilities that they should make. Further , the type of perception that are
carried out by adults is not effective enough. People do not prefer to provide opportunities to
youth. This is a type of issue due to which youth are not given much of the importance. It is the
responsibility of all the members in the community to support each member and provide them
with appropriate support so that they develop trust and confidence (Curtis, Ross and Syme,
2014). In order to take decisions, it requires to have observations skills so that they are able to
understand the situation and proper steps are taken by them with the help of which they are able
to take decisions. Youth need to have the interest and willingness so that they make themselves
involved in the operations that are considered in community. There are negative perceptions that
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are carried out by youth in which they prefer to live their lives and enjoy. The sense of helping or
supporting the society is not there (Rinkus, Kramer and Dobson, 2016). These are type of
condition in which individuals are not involved due to their perception. Further, the rate of
understanding that they have is also low.
Lack of capacity: There are certain set of skills and capabilities that a person need to
have. In this context, it includes leadership skills which are an important aspect that is considered
(Sallnow and Paul, 2015). There are situations in the community in which they have to take up
appropriate steps so that they can overcome the issue. It is identified that all the youth do not
possess this skills. In this context, it becomes difficult for them to take up initiatives in
appropriate manner. Among youth, it is identified that people lack expertise and capacity. This is
mainly due to lack of knowledge that each of the individual have. It is important in the
community to take up initiatives to develop knowledge and understanding (Cunningham,
Wallston and Miller, 2015). However, youth are not found of taking up initiatives for their
betterment or development. It requires a person to have proper planning so as to have effective
leadership. Youth of Britain have the capability but they lack skills so that they are able to
develop and implement the plan in effective manner. Business is required to understand the
process. All the members within the community have their own way to thinking but it is
important that possess skills like decision making, problem solving, leadership, etc. (Habibi,
Laroche and Richard, 2014). All the youth need to have self evaluation so that they are able to
take up steps so that they can develop positive perception for the skills they possess and the one
which they have to develop.
Suspension of party mechanisms for discussion and change: There are many complains
that are made by people for suspension of key mechanisms for engagement and dialogue. In this
context, it includes party conference and party election (Dyer, Stringer and Muhorro, 2014).
There is different type of steps that has to be taken into consideration. It is important for to make
sure that all the youth in the community have proper understanding about the action that has to
be taken. In this process, it requires to have appropriate support from the side of adults. In order
to get elected, it requires each member to understand integral mechanisms. The involvement of
youth can be raised when there are frequent conferences that take part so that they can compete
in elections. Apart from this, it requires to have effective communication among all the members
(Alicea-Alvarez, Reeves and Jones, 2016). Further, the rate of communication that people have
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in respect with community is low. This acts as a barrier due to which individuals fail to perform
their set of roles in effective manner. Moreover, it is also identified that the rate of support from
the side of parents is also low. Due to this, youth do not have proper understanding of the
community and the work that are undertaken. In this context, appropriate steps need to be taken
in which people who work can perform their set of roles in effective manner (Sarrami-
Foroushani, Travaglia and Braithwaite, 2014). When individuals are delivered with appropriate
information, then it becomes favourable enough to raise the level of engagement.
Geographical barrier: This is determine to be an additional dimension that has to be
taken into consideration. People tent to visit other countries so that they are able to develop
positive perception within their mind (Malik, Chapain and Comunian, 2017). This is not possible
for all the youth to give their time. There are individuals who prefer to work within the country
but the fact is that moving on to other countries and working enables them to take up appropriate
step so that they are able to understand their requirements in effective manner. Further, it is also
identified that language is another set of issue due to which it becomes difficult to determine the
work in effective manner (Farnsworth, Böse and Hodgins, 2014). All the youth need to have
skills so that they are able to understand the things that are communicated to them.
Financial resources and security: When there are proper or appropriate steps taken by
community, then it requires to have appropriate support from the side of all the member who are
involved in the same (Waterton and Watson, 2013). It is important that all the youth who are
involved understand their set of roles and are able to collect financial support. However, it is
identified that the rate of trust that people have is low for finance. This can be determined as
barriers that are faced by youth.
Ways implemented by democracy and participation for overcoming the barriers
This emphasises on broad participation of constituents in operation and direction of
political systems. There are different types of activities or strategies that are implemented so that
they are able to make involvement of people (Curtis, Ross and Syme, 2014). In this context,
below given are the ways that are helpful enough to reduce the barriers and make youth engaged:
Ground breaking work: In order to raise the level of participation, there is ground
breaking work that is introduced in the region. This has helped in resulting legislative initiatives
(Rinkus, Kramer and Dobson, 2016). Main focus of this is to present participatory activities that
enable to involve all the levels of administration, youth of both local and regional level, public
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sector, etc. This is a type of support that is provided so that they are able to help hospitals in the
operations in effective manner. This way, it becomes favourable enough to raise the performance
level and making youth involved in the operations.
Funky citizens: This is a third sector organization, which works for the betterment of the
society. They aim at fighting for corruption (Sallnow and Paul, 2015). In this context, they
provide online advocacy tools that are focused on promoting anti corruption and good
governance. The main aim in this it to educate young people and they are used as series of tool
so that they are able to build up human capital and this helpful enough to influence participation.
This has helped positively towards developing appropriate protection and in reducing the rate of
corruption.
Experimental Finland: As a part of policymaking, the Finnish government has seeked to
incorporate experimentation. There are website developed that has helped in funding and
development of experiments. Main idea behind this is to facilitate the process especially small
scale experiments (Cunningham, Wallston and Miller, 2015). Further, they also share platform in
which development of environment crosses sectorial boundaries and regional. These were the
aspects that were mission in Finland but by developing this aspect, it has helped in reducing the
rate of issue. This is a transparent approach in order to experimentation and funding. In addition
to this, it also offers a way to consolidate fragmented knowledge.
3 Things for Calgary: This is an aspect in which government wanted to provide a way
sop that citizen can raise their voice and promote and to take participation in decision making.
This was helpful enough to know the type of perception that is carried out by individuals
(Habibi, Laroche and Richard, 2014). It becomes effective enough to develop trust and
confidence within the mind of people so that they are able to take up steps to reduce the negative
aspects that are faced in the country. Further, all the people that includes young, adults, etc. to
get involved in decision making.
G1000: There was a curious situation that was created at the time of general election at
Belgium. In this context, parties were not able to reach consensus on government. At the end the
government ended up for 589 days. During this time G1000 was introduced so as to make debate
for the general public in order to make the future democracy for Belgium (Dyer, Stringer and
Muhorro, 2014). It was stated with 1000 citizens randomly and then they raised the number and
this way, it was helpful enough to take up appropriate step for the country.
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Melbourne people’s panel: This city has developed 10 years economic plan. Main focus
was made to make the place a desirable one and this was done by maintaining the economy.
Council aimed at setting up a panel so that they can review the plan (Alicea-Alvarez, Reeves and
Jones, 2016). In this context, there were about 43 members, they were helpful enough to make
changes in the plan so that the economy of the country can be developed. This way, it is
favourable enough for the youth to get involved in such activities and contribute effectively
towards the growth.
Social security planning with citizens: There were about 2000 citizens who were involved
in the planning for social security reform for Scotland. Main focus was done to engage people of
different groups so as to contribute their views on social security. Further, it included different
people who were focused on support the country for raising their security (Sarrami-Foroushani,
Travaglia and Braithwaite, 2014). In this context, they also made use of workshops and feedback
channels in the process. In addition to this, public consultations were also used to support
decision making.
Atlas of the future: This is a website that publicises interesting future projects. These are
aimed to promote better democratic and society to future thinking. All the citizens were able to
provide their suggestion and contribute effectively towards the development. Projects were
developed and these were able to take up appropriate steps so that the rate of improvements can
be made in effective manner (Malik, Chapain and Comunian, 2017). Focus is to facilitate
participants in the project and to offer ideas so that they can contribute for the future
development.
Science, technology and public dialogue for policy making: This is a type of British
program that is helpful to promote inclusion of technology and scientific viewpoints. They are
helpful to make up decisions by central government. They enable to determine funds and they
also get assistance for government ministries and agencies. They make use of this and they get to
involve in decision making (Farnsworth, Böse and Hodgins, 2014). Further, it was identified that
there was an increase in evidence of the benefits involved in public at different states of policy
making.
NHS citizen: There was a team that was formed by NHS so that citizens can get involve
in decision making. This was done so that direct channel can be provided to people so that they
can speak about NHS. This way, better opinions can be provided and the rate of quality for
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health related services that are delivered by NHS were improved (Waterton and Watson, 2013).
Further, the agenda for meeting was done so that participation of the citizens can be raised. In all
these activities, it is helpful enough to involve youth in overcoming the barriers as there are
many opportunities that are provided.
CONCLSUION
From this report, it can be stated that youth need to be involved in the community so that
they are able to share their thoughts and views. It is important that all the adults in the
community provide youth with appropriate respect so that they may not have that fear to share
their ideas.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alicea-Alvarez, N., Reeves, K. and Jones, N., 2016. Impacting Health Disparities in Urban
Communities: Preparing Future Healthcare Providers for “Neighborhood-Engaged Care”
Through a Community Engagement Course Intervention. Journal of Urban
Health, 93(4), pp.732-743.
Cunningham, J., Wallston, K. A. and Miller, S. T., 2015. Development and Psychometric
Evaluation of the HPV Clinical Trial Survey for Parents (CTSP‐HPV) Using Traditional
Survey Development Methods and Community Engagement Principles. Clinical and
translational science, 8(6), pp.702-709.
Curtis, A., Ross, H. and Syme, G. J., 2014. The great experiment with devolved NRM
governance: lessons from community engagement in Australia and New Zealand since
the 1980s. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 21(2), pp.175-199.
Dyer, J., Stringer, L. C. and Muhorro, S., 2014. Assessing participatory practices in community-
based natural resource management: Experiences in community engagement from
southern Africa. Journal of environmental management, 137, pp.137-145.
Farnsworth, S. K., Böse, K. and Hodgins, S., 2014. Community engagement to enhance child
survival and early development in low-and middle-income countries: an evidence
review. Journal of health communication, 19(sup1), pp.67-88.
Habibi, M. R., Laroche, M. and Richard, M. O., 2014. The roles of brand community and
community engagement in building brand trust on social media. Computers in Human
Behavior, 37, pp.152-161.
Malik, S., Chapain, C. and Comunian, R., 2017. Engagement and Participation in Community
Filmmaking–a Short Introduction. Community Filmmaking: Diversity, Practices and
Places, p.187.
Rinkus, M. A., Kramer, D. and Dobson, T., 2016. Informing Community Engagement in Sea
Turtle Conservation by Examining Non-Conservation-Related Participation in Northeast
Brazil. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 21(1), pp.47-64.
Sallnow, L. and Paul, S., 2015. Understanding community engagement in end-of-life care:
developing conceptual clarity. Critical Public Health, 25(2), pp.231-238.
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Sarrami-Foroushani, P., Travaglia, J. and Braithwaite, J., 2014. Key concepts in consumer and
community engagement: a scoping meta-review. BMC health services research, 14(1),
p.250.
Waterton, E. and Watson, S. eds., 2013. Heritage and community engagement: collaboration or
contestation?. Routledge.
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