Posted: 03.02.2005

The Young Parent's Participation Project has been up and running in Edinburgh since February 2004. Here are some examples of the achievements of the project:

• Contributions were made to two Scottish Executive consultations relating to changes in Family Law and the proposals on Smoking in Public Places.
• The Working with Young Parents Network has been established, with meetings taking place every two months and continues to expand to included workers from a wide variety of organisations.
• Involvement in recruitment of OPFS staff.
• Young Parents conference in October 2004, planned by young parents and attended by young parents from Edinburgh, East Lothian and Dundee.

Future work planned includes:

• A joint peer education project with young parents from Stepping Stones in North Edinburgh.
• Consultation events on the forthcoming Scottish Executive Youth Strategy.

Tara McCarthy is the Young Parents Participation Worker based at the Edinburgh office. Tara has worked extensively in the participation of young people through her work with Article 12 in Scotland - a national youth-led organisation that promotes youth rights and youth-led opportunities - delivering training on peer education and peer research to young people throughout Scotland and Europe.

For more information on any aspect of this project, please contact Tara McCarthy at taramccarthy@opfs.org.uk