Reflecting on 10 Years of CYCJ
Today is the 10 year anniversary of CYCJ’s move to the University of Strathclyde! In this piece CYCJ Director Fiona Dyer reflects on the change that we’ve helped to drive for children and young people since 2013, and picks out some of her personal highlights from years gone by. I can’t actually believe that it’s […]
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Leading to Change (and hope)
With increasing pressure on health, social care and social work sectors, the Scottish Government’s new Leading to Change programme is driving more compassionate and collaborative leadership, to improve wellbeing and bring hope to staff. This guest blog for the University of Strathclyde led Talking Hope project tells us more. Good leadership that role models the […]
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Raising the participation game at St Mary’s Kenmure
St Mary’s Kenmure used CYCJ’s recent webinar with Professor Laura Lundy as an opportunity to raise awareness of participation amongst the team (and also have some fun!). Elaine Hamilton and Ian Nisbet tell us more… Within St Mary’s Kenmure (SMK), we as a Leadership team have been looking at ways in which we can progress […]
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Breaking the links between poverty and offending
‘Poverty is real and standards of living are likely to fall further.’ As Scotland’s Child Poverty Delivery Plan is launched, Maureen Roberts reflects on why it’s more important than ever to break the links between deprivation and offending behaviour. Since being seconded to CYCJ in 2021, I’ve been amazed at the breadth of consultation requests […]
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Why we’re empowering young people to take the lead
CYCJ is a partner host for the National Leadership Network, a new initiative that will empower care experienced young people to become leaders in their community. Ross Gibson reflects on the real meaning of leadership – and why taking a collaborative approach can lead to ‘something even greater’. Leaders are everywhere; in politics, work, sport, groups, […]
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Opening up about Participation
As CYCJ launches ‘Just The Right Space’, its new accessible website that was co-produced with young people, Charlotte Morris reflects on the process of participation, and why keeping an open mind is key… Before I joined CYCJ, I was invited to attend a team meeting. Two long hours later I emerged, utterly bamboozled by the […]
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Taking a leap of faith
“Bold, brave…or just plain bonkers?” As she joins CYCJ as Practice Development Advisor for Secure Care, Ruby Whitelaw ponders new challenges, and what happens when you step outside of your comfort zone. After 25 years of working in residential childcare I was pondering my next challenge, as throughout my career I’ve pushed myself to learn, […]
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Beneath the surface
Looking back at her teenage years, Alice (not her real name) reflects on the hurt she experienced and the missed opportunities to do things differently. I was 13 the first time the police pinned me down on the ground, handcuffed me and put me in the back of a police van. I was 14 the […]
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How Venture Trust is helping young people achieve their potential
Venture Trust have been making a big difference to young people in conflict with the law – or at risk of being so – through its person-centred criminal justice programmes. Mike Strang, Venture Trust’s Chief Operating Officer reflects back on what has worked, and why it’s helping change lives. “I used to think that people […]
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