myplace interim evaluation report documents the challenges ahead

The Department for Education has today published the interim evaluation report for the myplace programme. The report, written by Durham University and YMCA George Williams College, is based on a series of project case studies, desk research and a survey of the funded projects.

The report starts by setting the myplace programme in the broader historical and policy context of youth provision. It identifies a wide range of approaches that myplace projects have taken to youth empowerment from intensive small group-work to extensive consultation. It shows that the funded projects have all developed business plans which set out how they will bring in revenue funding through fund-raising, membership fees and hiring out facilities. Several projects are developing leading practice through using models such as social enterprises to generate revenue.

With a number of the funded centres now up and running, the report highlights the significant involvement of young people in the design of both buildings and youth services. Among the challenges emerging are issues around co-locating services as part of projects and the potential impact of these proposals on the financial sustainability of the project. A further issue is the balance between universal youth provision and a more targeted approach to particular hard-to-reach young people. Behind all of these issues are challenges around engaging and sustaining involvement by young people and developing the leadership skills required to plan, build and deliver a world-class youth facility.

The evaluation team are continuing their research with a final evaluation report due to be completed in the Spring.

You can view or download a copy of the interim report here.