The Change Up exhibition was born of the work produced by the Early Action Systems Change Renfrewshire partnership, in collaboration with young people, dedicated to tackling the root causes of inequality in Scotland.
In this space, we showcase the innovations, tools, and training that were developed by the young people involved in the co-designs, with support from youth work organisations in Renfrewshire.
Eight amazing youth groups developed diverse, creative and impactful resources in response to challenges surrounding coercive control and poor mental health. Each strategy has been created to inspire us all to educate, empower and equalise systems to tackle coercive control and take early action on mental wellbeing.
KIBBLE
The co-design teams made a welcome video for new young people who come to Kibble, to help them know who to talk to and where to go if they are having any issues.
It’s hoped the video can also be a way to raise awareness and empower young people to be able to talk about what’s happening to them as many young people don't feel comfortable talking to adults. They wanted to make it clear that the adults want to help and want to listen, and won't get you in trouble.
They also made a wellbeing resource to go with the video, letting young people know what support is available if they need it.
STAR Project
STAR Project made a training pack for statutory services, like the Police, Schools and Social Work. They wanted them to be able to communicate with young people effectively, build relationships and treat them with respect.
It is hoped the training packs will lead to young people feeling heard, valued and respected, not misunderstood or dismissed. If this happens young people will feel able to approach adults for any issue.
YMCA RENFREWSHIRE AND YMCA PAISLEY
YMCA Paisley made posters and animations to teach young people about coercive control. They shared what they learnt on their posters, including signs of coercive control and phrases to look out for.
YMCA Renfrew focussed on spending time together, doing activities and talking. By meeting regularly, the young people gained confidence to get involved in other activities, as well as taking a lead on sessions together. Their project was more about wellbeing and connection than on making something specific.
YOUTH INTERVENTIONS
Youth Interventions made a video to teach other young people in high school about coercive control and healthy relationships. They believed the main way to prevent coercive control is for young people to understand what it is and how to recognise it, knowing it can happen with their friends, their partners or even their family.
It is hoped the vidio will raise awareness that this is happening to young people all the time, and reduce stigma against those who have these experiences.
CREATE PAISLEY AND ACTIVE COMMUNITIES
CREATE Paisley and Active Communities worked with JamHot creative agency to create a campaign to get young people to talk about how they were feeling. To spread their messages, they ran an Instagram campaign alongside billboards in Paisley Gilmour street station! They also had flyers, posters and even t-shirts.
CHILDREN 1ST + THE RISE WOMEN’S GROUP
Children 1st’s ‘RISE’ women’s group made a PowerPoint presentation that was presented at the Children 1st Annual General Meeting and to the Edinburgh House of Chambers. The presentation shows young people’s experiences of coercive control and how parents and schools should have reacted to disclosures. Specifically, it highlights the negative and sexualised attitudes some boys can have towards girls and how indifferent and disrespectful many teachers can be when you raise concerns.
They also created a training pack for teachers - “don’t get angry, get active!”. They believe that schools need to realise how harmful their responses can be, or nothing will change.
What can you do to changeup the system for young people’s safety and wellbeing?
VIEW OUR EXHIBITION PHOTOS BELOW
