We are young people with learning disabilities who represent our peers and challenge perceptions through creative activities, consultations, working with the local youth parliament, and disability awareness and participation training.
Who we are
16 young people with learning disabilities.
Where we're based
Sheffield, Yorkshire
When we started
Aug-04
How we started
The R2KYouth Participation Project - now made up of the two subgroups Soul and Fame - was set up by the Burton Street Project and Children & Young People's Empowerment Project to address the need for facilities that young people had identified, particularly for those with learning disabilities.
Our work
We meet and work on our projects and any current training once a week, for both Soul and Fame - with most of the projects led by ourselves. Representatives also attend the monthly area-wide meetings of the youth parliament, made up of different youth groups and school councils as well as adult disability parliament once a month. Through our work we gain confidence and communication skills, and challenge ignorance and prejudice about disability.
Future plans
We would like to develop our training packages about prejudice and work with more people in more areas using what we have learnt as a model - including training more companies in disability awareness and participation. We are making a radio programme, and we would like to set up a nightclub.
Project website
http://www.philiplawrenceawards.net
It has made me more confident to talk to people and it will help the community because people will talk more together.
A. Green, R2KYouth Participation Project member
