Voice of youth

Like all organisations in our sector, Wheatley is dedicated to designing services around people’s needs and expectations. And that includes young people. However, there is so much more we need to do – collectively – to ensure young people’s voices are not only heard, but incorporated at the heart of our community governance and engagement.

Wheatley Youth Forum, formed a few years ago, engages young people in our decision-making. But last year we decided to dig deeper and to flesh out a more informed perspective of young people’s views, expectations and wishes. Partnering with the Poverty Alliance and Children in Scotland, we decided to carry out a housing, community, poverty and economic research project – with a difference.

Beyond4Walls was not a housing-led initiative looking to reinforce outdated thinking and preconceptions. It was driven from start to finish by a group of 14 to 21-year-olds, with the direction and focus of the research determined solely by them.

A key aim was to assist housing providers across Scotland, such as Wheatley, to better understand the communities we work in by gaining a more informed perspective of how we can meet the needs of the young people who live in our properties, both as tenants and as part of a household, and as potential customers of the future.

Additional support

The young people who volunteered to carry out the research designed questionnaires, conducted focus groups, interviews, filming and photographs of their peers, and then analysed their findings. Their extensive work over more than a year culminated in a final report, which was presented at a hugely successful event last month in the Wheatley Academy and Conference Centre in Glasgow. Among the VIPs who attended was Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South and Westminster’s youngest MP.

What the findings show and confirm is that most young people need additional support when looking for and moving into their first home, including easier-to-understand application forms and greater support to develop life skills, such as banking, budgeting, cooking and cleaning. The acute need for good quality housing was regarded as essential, and for homes to be affordably heated, with wi-fi and space for them to study.

Safety was highlighted as being extremely important, as were good transport links and the need for young people to feel valued in their communities, rather than is sometimes the case, stigmatised because of their age. There was general concern about a lack of employment and training opportunities and their long-term economic security.

As well as being a rich source of feedback and information for housing providers and all organisations who design and provide community services, the research project had tangible, personal benefits for the young people who participated. It helped them to connect more effectively with their community and raise their awareness of the benefits and services they are entitled to receive, as well as boosting their confidence and enhancing various skills. Also, the importance of their voice being heard and listened to in such a meaningful manner should not be underestimated.

Excellent work

So what happens now? All parts of Wheatley – our five registered social landlords (Glasgow Housing Association, Dunedin Canmore, Cube, Loretto and West Lothian Housing Partnership) along with Loretto Care and our two commercial subsidiaries, Your Place Property Management and Lowther Homes – are actively assessing the findings. We have given a commitment to the young researchers we will change and tailor our information, engagement methods, advice and services in light of their excellent work and findings.

By listening to and taking on board the views of young people, we can and will provide better, more personalised services and, ultimately, stronger, more cohesive communities.

Martin Armstrong, chief executive, Wheatley Group

Click here to find out more about Wheatley Youth Forum