bayc, through Support Services, provides information and advice, telephone support, visits, training, small grants, a residential centre, access to inter-group activities and events for youth groups in the West Midlands…….
Direct Support
Providing practical support to affiliates, associates and partner organisations, including:
· Direct support to workers
· New training initiatives
· Servicing committees and working groups
· Dealing with requests for information and advice
· Developing and supporting DfES project work
· Instigating the Quality Standards package
· Competitions and events
· Subsidies for residential work
· On-line February newsletter
Newsletter Supplement
· Monthly mail shot
· General Helpdesk
· Bursary assistance
· Freebees
· Support to statutory providers
· General telephone, website and postal support
· Consultancy
· Personal visits
· Access to grants from The Variety Club of Great Britain
· Discounts from commercial providers
· Residential opportunities…Residentials under sail
· bayc’s Studio Barn residential centre
· Programme support
· Special projects
Indirect Support
· Insurance Packages
· Maintenance of bayc’s Studio Barn Residential Centre
· Conference/Training facilities
· Linking with other youth work agencies
· Partnerships
· Training packages
· Organisation infrastructure
Support Services is headed up by Les Hemus
Tel; 0121 460 5873
E-Mail: les.hemus@bayc.org
SUPPORT SERVICES
OVERVIEW OF 2009 As head of Support Services I would like to report on what has been an exciting but challenging time for everyone in the organisation, highlighting its continued commitment to the overall development of both young people and their parent bodies as we look back to look forward. Quality Standards We have assisted/helped 33 new groups get started, this being in addition to the overall input to all affiliates in respect to ensuring they meet with recognised standards. ‘ On behalf of our organisation, (The Centre of Light) we would like to thank you and your staff for all your help and support. With your help our organisation is getting bigger and better.’ Training Initiated and supported 75 days of specified training in addition to the ongoing unspecified training.Trained 35 workers to deliver Youth Achievements Awards ‘This training has helped to guide me as to what is expected from a youth worker in terms of responsibility’. ‘The training was Interesting, Informative, Thought provoking and Heartfelt’ Syconium Youth Project. Criminal records Checks As part of our quality standards package and our wider umbrella role we have processed in excess of 1000 Criminal Records Checks. ‘Wow that was quick! Thank you so much.' MENACA Studio Barn Residential Opportunities Provided 160 subsidised residential days at our North Cotswolds residential base The Studio Barn giving in excess of 600 young people the opportunity to enjoy the residential experience. ‘Lovely building!!’ Charford Youth Group. ‘Thank you, we had a good weekend in lovely surroundings.’ Old Herefordians Y.G. ‘Great time had by all’ Jubilee Park J.F.C. Joint Youth Service Ventures Provided managerial and practical support to both the Night Operation and The Water Sports Adventure events. Events co-organised by; bayc, The Federation of Clubs for Young People and the Statutory Youth service. These events have reached a total in excess of 600 young people and 240 youth workers!! CASE STUDY Syconium were based in the Digbeth area of Birmingham until moving to Nechells. They work with disadvantaged young people aged predominately 13 – 19 years. The key areas for their work is; Nechells, Northfield and Central Birmingham.Since joining bayc they have benefited from ongoing support from the support services team. Initially this support assisted them in adopting the necessary policies and safety checks that modern youth work practice requires. As they have grown they have developed a substantial residential arm to their work utilising our property in the North Cotswolds ‘The Studio Barn’. This has not been without its difficulties, proving to be for some a major culture shock. As a direct result of one incident I was called in to support the staff as they dealt with the aftermath of the young peoples involvement. The outcome from this was for myself and the key worker to sit down and plan for greater imput of bayc in the future support of their work.This led me to devise, plan and deliver a package of training to support their needs.The concept for this was to provide opportunities for the young people Syconium were working with to undergo fun residentials that offered, direct outcomes, training and recognised accredited outcomes.The first stage for this was to deliver training for the workers at Syconium in; A) Environmental Awareness re Rural Areas and the Built Environment. B) Youth Achievements Awards. And this was achieved over a number of weeks.Overall the training was coupled with a series of residential stays at the Studio Barn where we had arranged for the young people to do environmental work for the National Trust at Hidcote Manor Gardens as part of their participation in the Youth Achievement Awards programme.This project is well underway and highlights what can be achieved when the work of bayc is incorporated into the very positive inputs that many affiliated groups offer.Syconium can be rightly pleased with their development and achievements in their work with and for young people, as we are with our input that supports their work. Long may both prosper Les Hemus D.C.E.O. 
