Fast Forward’s current work includes a range of projects and services.
Peer Education
Is a key part of Fast Forward's work. We believe that young people are often more likely to listen and respond to information given by their peers rather than to a 'lecture' delivered by adults.
As part of the Scottish Government’s national Youth Work Strategy, Fast Forward is co-ordinating the Scottish Peer Education Network (SPEN) and promoting and supporting peer education across Scotland.
As well as this strategic work, Fast Forward’s own volunteer peer educators provide substance education directly to young people (see PERCS).
Fast Forward’s Edinburgh Team
Fast Forward's work in Edinburgh is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council to provide services across Edinburgh. It aims to: |
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Increase young people's knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions around consumption of alcohol, and drugs. |
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Increase parents knowledge and confidence to interact with their children around alcohol issues and safe drinking, and drugs. |
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Increase & build the capacity of practitioners from youth services/agencies across Edinburgh to respond to issues related to alcohol & drug use. |
Y-Step (Young People - Smoking, Tobacco Education Prevention)
In May 2008 the Scottish Government launched a national Smoking Prevention Action Plan, which aims to reduce the number of young people who smoke. The plan aims to promote healthy lifestyles and make cigarettes and other tobacco products less affordable, less available and less attractive to children and young people. (download the Y-Step leaflet here to learn what they can offer)
BME Health and Diversity Project
Fast Forward’s work with black and minority ethnic communities is focused on promoting health and building capacity and awareness to deliver health and substance focused work within agencies working with young people. Direct work with young people and training and education sessions for parents and practitioners are delivered. Help and advice in Edinburgh (download a list of agencies here)
Integrated Positive Choices
Integrated Positive Choices is a new joint venture between Fast Forward and Caledonia Youth. This is a three year pilot education programme which has targeted two secondary schools within the City (Gracemount High School and Boroughmuir High School) in agreement with colleagues within the Children and Families Department at the City of Edinburgh Council. The Pilot will assist in the development of the Council's aim to develop an integrated programme of sexual health and substance misuse education for young people and all staff working with young people. This work is built on SHARE and A Curriculum for Excellence (we also recognise the need to cater for young people with specialist requirements who are not receiving mainstream schooling).(To learn more and obtain contact details, please click here)
FAST (Free Accessible Specialised Training)
FAST is an exciting post funded by Youthlink and is working in partnership with Youth Scotland. It provides free health related training all over Scotland to full-time, part-time and volunteer youth workers. The training is Accessible - So, if you live in Edinburgh or Elgin FAST will come to you. FAST will be delivering free training to workers who have limited access to training opportunities in their local area. Specialised - The Training will be tailored to your needs. Training currently available, as well as customised - Young People and Drugs, Young People and Alcohol, Self-esteem and Young People, Peer Education and Health. (if you would like to discuss what is available to you, click here for contact details)
Volunteers Programme and the PERCS project
Young people aged 16-25 from a wide range of backgrounds are recruited as volunteers. Volunteers are trained in relevant skills, including drugs knowledge, groupwork and presentation skills. They are involved in all aspects of the organisation including their own peer education work, delivery of adult training, development of publications and as members of the Board of Directors.
PERCS is a project operated within the volunteer programme that aims to highlight the role for volunteers and promote the use of peer education on substance misuse in rural and isolated communities across Scotland.
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