YouthLink Scotland
Young Scot
Ash Scotland

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Scottish Peer Education Network (SPEN)

Peer education is a key part of Fast Forward's work. We believe that young people are often more receptive to information given by other young people than that given by more formal approaches by adults.

Fast Forward’s own volunteer peer educators provide peer education on a variety of issues directly to young people. Fast Forward also hosts a national post, funded by the Scottish Government , to promote and co-ordinate the Scottish Peer Education Network (SPEN) and the work of peer educators across Scotland.

Peer education is a term widely used to describe a range of initiatives where people from a similar:
	age group
	background
	culture and/or
	social status

...educate each other about a variety of issues.

Scottish Peer Education Network
The Scottish Peer Education Network (SPEN) facilitates communication between and offers support to peer educators, practitioners and policy makers involved in peer education across Scotland. SPEN was launched in February 2005, at the "Peer Education - The Chameleon Approach" conference.

If you want to join SPEN please contact Fast Forward, tel: 0131 554 4300, email: admin@fastforward.org.uk for further information.

What will you get if you join the network?
	The opportunity to meet, network and share experiences with others involved in peer education in Scotland.
	To be involved in facilitating and/or attending practice based peer education events.
	Access to a wide range of peer education resources.

SPEN Membership Application Form Download here >

Useful links
Landed
Crew 2000
The Peer Education Project @ the Corner
LGBT Youth

SPEN was recently invited to attend an information event for Edinburgh Volunteer Centre’s new peer led youth service called Accelerate.
The aims of the Accelerate project are to:-
Support peer educators in informing young people about the benefits of volunteering
Correctly inform young people about volunteering in a fun and practical way
Create a positive attitude from young people towards volunteering
Direct young people to the existing youth friendly volunteer information points
Assist young people into getting current volunteering opportunities
Get more young people involved in volunteering in Edinburgh.

The event looked at what the Accelerate team do and what they have achieved to date. Twelve peer educators have been recruited and trained to manage and deliver the project. They have developed and delivered fun, inspiring, youth friendly workshops on all the aspects of volunteering, with a particular focus on the benefits that volunteering can bring to young people. To date the Accelerate project has delivered workshops to over 900 young people in Edinburgh Secondary schools.  Currently the peer educators are working towards their Platinum Youth Achievement Award.

Effective support and development of Peer Educators:
A MAP and PATH training event by Circles Network was held at the Engine Shed, Edinburgh, 21st February 2008.
A training workshop by the Circles Network looked specifically at using MAP and PATH techniques with peer education projects.

more info >