YoMo provide practical training for schools, youth & community groups in young peoples participation using simple, practical, replicable ideas with low risk and maximum impact. So I thought we needed to talk to Kirsty Taylor who is a trainer for YoMo and find out about how young people can benefit from their work.

When was YoMo set up?

YoMo originally came from a lottery funded project called Young Movers which began in 2000, where youth groups from all over the UK came on residential courses and were given practical ideas for community participation. Over the years courses and training was adapted as we learnt more about young people and effective methods of training. As Young Movers funding was running out, YoMo developed over the last two years.

What is YoMo all about?

YoMo is a community interest company, meaning that all the profits we make go back through the company to benefit the community in some way- social enterprise. Our main aim is to build the capacity of young people's participation in society, giving them practical ideas, personal and group skills which are vital for the future, creating well rounded citizens who show concern for their community. We have a range of resources and a website to provide support for young people and adults to achieve our aim, as well as travelling around the UK and Ireland to deliver training. Our training team is made up of volunteers, young people who have been on one or more of our courses who share the same aim/values of YoMo, and also a team of expert trainers in this field of work. We have also run courses in Tanzania and Malawi in Africa, and have set up support for an orphanage in Malawi where we hope to establish suitable land and a meeting place for some of the neediest children in the world to learn new skills, teach them English and hopefully develop vocational courses so the children have an optimistic future in such terrible circumstances.

Who was behind getting it off the ground and why was there such a need for YoMo in today's society?

Mike Amos Simpson (mas) was the founder of Young Movers and he is responsible for the establishment of YoMo alongside Steve Green who are both Directors. Over the past two years trainers and volunteers have delivered and adapted courses to produce a range of effective practical ideas and create a unique company. Our website has been a major aspect of our work as it provides a support network for young people, youth workers, teachers, practitioners and anybody in this line of work. The company itself has only been fully independent for a short while but we currently have a committee who are working towards the future of the company. I think that as a company we are different and provide effective and unique experiences, we practice what we preach therefore impact on people's lives in some form.

What age groups do you work with?

Our main target group is young people aged between 11 and 19. We also deliver courses for adults, as we feel a positive, supportive and active adult role is essential to the development of young people. We use a range of skills and tools to do this, and the training we do is very adaptable, therefore can be tailored to the individual and group needs, whether that be young people or adults.

What active roles do YoMo play in youth development and participation?

Our training has a real focus on group and individual development which is important when working on any project. We feel this helps the young person to understand there role within a group, self identity, and the skills to adapt what they do within there groups and as part of there project to everyday life and situations, again re-enforcing the fact that our training prepares young people for being a good citizen within society. Also I think because we cover a wide area of skills, from effective meetings to presentation methods, when we deliver training we can have a big impact on groups and individuals, and inspire them to participate as we show them interesting and effective ways to do so, making them want to, rather than forcing them to.

What is the current state of young people's participation in today's society? What changes have you seen and what changes do you want to see made?

I think more and more young people are realising the benefits of community participation, for themselves and others. In contrast, it can often be seen as not peoples kind of thing, and create negative attitudes and an unwillingness to do it. This is why we encourage young people to use their likes and skills effectively to participate in something they like and want to achieve as more effort will be put in, and more will be gained. Over the years we have worked with many groups who stereotypically wouldn't seem the type of group to participate in the community, but we have see a real progression and change in attitudes from these people who have gone on to do well and change the perceptions of targeted young people like them in their community, to positive ones.

What is your role in the organisation and what does your job involve?

I am a trainer for the company which involves travelling all around the UK and Ireland to see people who are at various different levels of participation within there community. I am responsible for planning and delivering courses. Tailoring the training to have a positive and beneficial outcome whatever stage the group is at. I am also a committee member which involves inputting ideas for the future of the company, and most recently I have took responsibility for the YoMo overseas section so I will be organising fundraiser events to support the orphanage.

How can you go about getting involved with YoMo as a young person and someone that works with young people?

The first step would be to sign up to our website and get involved in the forum, see what's going on and try get involved in some of the events. If a young person has done any voluntary work which has benefited young people they can apply for a youth award at www.youthawards.co.uk, which is currently being developed so there will be lots to get involved with in the future! Youth workers can visit the online shop and buy resources to help their work with young people, and download our practical ideas and methods.

What will YoMo be getting up to this year?

This summer a group of us are cycling across Wales to raise money for the Grace orphanage, we have lots of courses coming up including possible ones in Albania! In October we are launching the company and the Youth awards site at a networking event for young people and practitioners around the UK and Ireland, then at Christmas a small group are returning to Malawi to continue work with the orphanage.

How can we find out more about the YoMo?

By visiting our websites www.yomo.co.uk and www.youthawards.co.uk

Also, don't hesitate to contact us with any queries at info@yomo.co.uk