Whitby, Our Whitby

To combat the challenges of low literacy levels for 11–16-year-olds in the Whitby community, the Our Stories Hub and National Literacy Trust is launching a social action and employability programme titled Whitby Our Whitby (WOW) focused on developing young people’s literacy and employability skills whilst empowering them to find their voice and create change in Whitby.

It is open to all youth groups, schools and community settings which work with young people aged 11-16.

The project spans over a five-week period with one 90-minute session each week. It will be targeting a maximum of 30 young people, all of whom receive Free School Meals (FSM). Youth and community groups, as well as schools will be supported in identifying days and times of delivery to suit their schedule, commitments and curriculum.

The programme gives young people from disadvantaged communities the literacy and communication skills they need to make a difference in their local area and reach their potential.

The programme brings young people, local businesses, libraries and local leaders to bring literacy into cultural venues and the workplace.

Participating youth groups and schools will receive:

• A chance to share their ideas with Whitby Council and the media
• A memorable and engaging experience for students
• Creative session plans
• Resources and templates to develop their own social action project
• The opportunity to pitch a social change presentation to an expert panel
• A celebration event

Outcomes of the programme:

• Students will be empowered to identify and change an issue that they feel strongly about
• They will build confidence to share and present ideas to different audiences
• Students will build confidence to engage with a range of different audiences in order to build social capital and expand their world view
• They will develop key skills that will increase their confidence to engage in workplace-based opportunities in the future
• Students will develop of critical thinking skills to be able to credibly influence change

How to sign up

• If you are a teacher, work in a youth group or place where young people attend regularly in Whitby, then get in touch with Yasmin Stefanov-King to sign up now. Contact yasmin.stefanov-king@literacytrust.org.uk or 07547106132.

 

*Advertorial feature for the National Literacy Trust