Networks
We know that for many young people, not having good relationships with other people can be a key problem in moving in moving forward in life. Having friends and other associations gives us a sense of purpose and helps develop our skills in forming relationships with others – with family, work, people in the community that we need to rely on from time to time.
Our Networks project helps young people to develop the social skills and networks of support that will help them to better manage the journey through to successful independent adult life.
The project also offers social network training to staff working across the social care sector - so that they can in turn respond to the social support needs of those they are working with.
Who Can Access The Service
- Young people living in the Lothians who are aged 16 to 25, who are isolated and are at risk of homelessness
or
- Young people aged 15 to 25 who are currently accessing support from a Lothians Through Care After Care Team
What Support Can I Get?
The project supports young people to develop and strengthen their own networks of support by offering a three stage process:
- One to one support explores past and present social networks to assist in the building of new relationships. These sessions are fundamental as they give a safe environment to explore how the young person perceives their interactions with others and how they react to different situations. Most importantly these sessions give them an opportunity to discuss situations they find difficult and think through strategies to improve them. The groups and mentoring offer an opportunity to try out new strategies and explore how effective they are
- Small group work is offered to provide a safe environment where social skills can be developed; there are also specialised workshops in assertive communication and conflict resolution
- Matching young people with a mentor, which gives a ‘practice’ relationship for the young person to work through their social skills, insecurities and build confidence
- A mediation service is available for young people experiencing family conflict, either at home or having moved out. Positive family relationships and support play a large part in having a strong social network and can make the difference for a young person trying to move on in life
Each young person using the service will decide which of the above they want to have. For some it is all three, for others it may be only one.
What Have Young People Using The Service Said About It?
Here's a bit of feedback from some young people who have benefited from Networks support in the past:
“I look at things more positively”
"People have told me they can see a change in me. I speak a lot more when I'm out and I'm sticking up for myself more"
"It's made me think about past friendships. Up until now I haven't been admitting to myself what I have done to people and how that has affected my friendships. I know I have to change this but facing up to it has been hard"
The Staff Team
The Networks support team is made up of two Support Workers (Amanda and Kirsten) and it is managed by Ally.
Further Information & How Can I Apply?
For further information please contact Amanda or Kirsten on tel: 0131 524 9866/ 0131 524 9870, or use our online contact page (please leave full contact details along with a note of the service that you are interested in).
Networks provides support to young people aged between 16 and 25 (if you have been looked after by a local authority we can work with you from the age of 15 onwards).
You can complete the online referral form and send/fax it back to us:
