Led by Young People
OnSide is committed to involving young people at every stage of development of their new facilities, and young people’s active participation in every aspect of design and ongoing management is fundamental to our approach.
Having established a local political will and a firm partnership, OnSide begins the development process by consulting as widely as possible with local young people. Theirs is the key voice which determines the overall design of the proposed building, the use of the interior spaces, and the activities to take place there. An early meeting between young people and the design team is a fundamental step in the development process.
Many young people also express an interest in becoming more involved – in looking not just at how the building will look and feel, but in how it will work and deliver to the widest possible groups of their peers. They wish to be involved in managing the complex processes involved in such a large organisation, and also in its sustainability.
OnSide, as part of the ongoing offer to local partners, supports the real participation of young people by developing Young People’s Development Groups, and encouraging and enabling them to be active partners in the management and governance of the new facilities.
When the capital funding is committed, and the project moves from aspiration to reality, we foresee a range of opportunities for young people to take on roles and activities which will ensure not only that the project is meeting local needs, but that it is also offering real development for the individuals involved.