Have you heard about the Takeover Challenge on Friday November 23rd 2018?
The Takeover Challenge puts children and young people into real-life decision-making positions in organisations. Young people gain a valuable insight and gain experience of a workplace, while organisations benefit from a fresh perspective on their work.
For one day a year, organisations across the UK open up their offices, centres, board rooms, facilities and more to allow thousands of children and young people to take part – stepping into the shoes of a wide range of jobs including everything from MP’s, mayors, teachers, chief executives, business leaders, government officials and everything in between.
UK Youth is no exception, and we have got our UK Youth Voice members coming to London to takeover our office for the day. We’re also encouraging our members to get involved in this scheme, organised by the Children’s Commissioner. It doesn’t have to cost a lot – involving young people on Takeover Day and hearing about their ideas could even save you money!
Tips on making your #TakeoverChallenge a success
- Hold a planning day with your young volunteers ahead of the event to hand over the reigns and for them to select and learn about the roles they wish to take over. Ask young people if they were in charge of your organisation, what would be the first things they would do.
- Think about all the aspects of the activities you’re planning: could any part provide a learning opportunity for a young person? Can you give the power to young people to make some genuine decisions for your organisation?
- Involve all your staff, not just your youth workers, for a genuine takeover. Think about people that might never come into contact with young people, your finance and HR team for example, could offer young people some really important technical skills.
- Why not turn the office into a youth club for the day? Have icebreakers/games that all staff must join in with every hour, young people leading skills or discussion workshops for staff and even a tuck shop or pot luck lunch!
- Hand over your social media to young people for the day and allow them to do something creative like twitter polls, live streaming or designing graphics.
- There are lots of online resources to help you organise your Takeover Day, including how to develop your activities for the day and here are some great tips to help you make the most of the opportunity and talking about the day in the press.
- Parents or carers of children under 18 must give permission for them to join the day. Ensure you have relevant consent forms signed and gain emergency contact details for every child attending.
- Ensure your organisation has carried out an appropriate risk assessment in advance of the day to identify and minimise any potential hazards.
- UK Youth are always happy to support you. Email us your questions and ideas for #TakeoverChallenge 2018!