Young Inspectors

Today I started training to become a Young Inspector. To give a brief outline, a Young Inspector is somebody aged 13-19 who has or may be be suffering some kind of difficulties in life, which can be many things really, and would like to use their experiences to help others in a positive way. The role simply entails that you go in to buildings and services for young people, inspect them and discuss ways in which they can improve for young people, or how they are already good and can be used as examples for other services. The project was set up by the government (Cabinet member Ed Balls..who I met and he liked my speech!! Yay!) and this means, young people involved are paid £75 per inspection!! (though you can only do six in a year).

Moving on, as my explanation is done with now, I began training today and actually enjoyed it! There were ten of us and three youth workers and at first I was rather annoyed about going. I was tired and grumpy and lacked the effort. Yet for once, wasn't really scared about being in a social situation! I could believe, am I getter better all of a sudden?! I hope so, as that would be great!

So we all sat down and the person I was sat next to immediately talked to me. He was great and very sociable. Needless to say his name was also Nathan. The others were all brilliant too and hopefully I've made some new friends which I will be working with over the next year.

We, as you always do in these types of things, did a lot of activities and tasks. All of which I actually found interesting, which is a first. There is always one you find boring, but these were all pretty fun!

Tomorrow I'll be back at the same times to complete the training and then be ready to start my 'new job' effectively. I really can't wait!

You might be thinking, how does this tie in with my role as MYP? Well quite simply, I am now able to extend my role and go out in to the community in order to try and improve things directly for young people. I will be inspecting buses, libraries, health centres and youth clubs, as well as things such as leisure centres and many more.

This is a great opportunity and I'm rather thankful and still disbelieving to have it. I'll keep you updated on how it goes.