Alex Burch's blog

IARS were selectively invited to provide two young people with the opportunity to attend the official re-launch of the Big Society with David Cameron speaking at the event. On Monday 14th February two of IARS'  vinvolved project volunteers attended the exclusive re-launch of the Big Society idea. Clare Askew and Shruti Morzaria attended the event with Terry Ryall, v's Chief Executive, and four other young people hand selected by v.

My name is Charley, I am 19 years old and I live in Lewisham. I heard about IARS through meeting one of the staff members at my youth club (run by the Metro Centre). Alex came to tell my group about what IARS do and how they empower young people to do more regarding policy and practice.

Article authored by Ben Hickey, aged 16. IARS volunteer for the Youth of Today Project.

On 31st January 2011, The Home Secretary announced a new initiative devised to tackle the escalating problem of gang-related violence. It is now possible for police and local councils to administer individuals suspected of involvement in serious gang violence with a gang injunction, otherwise known as a ‘gangbo’.

On 28th January 2011, the judicial review into the London Councils consultation process on its funding cuts concluded that it failed to meet its statutory equality requirements. Mr Justice Calvert Smith deemed that the decision to cut the funding of 200 organisations as a result of the consultation, including IARS' London Youth Volunteering Project, should be quashed.

IARS' training package for young people continues on 26th February 2011 with a full day session on Police Powers. 

This module aims to develop young people’s knowledge, skills and attitudes so that they have a better understanding of the criminal justice system and are better equipped to handle and make sense of encounters with the police.

Sadly, IARS will be bringing to an end the vinvolved Youth Empowerment Project in March 2011. Currently we have been reviewing our gathered evidence, stories and work to provide a comprehensive overview of the impact this project has had. There have been many successes from this grant. 

As part of IARS' celebration of young volunteers' achievements we are documenting their personal progress and work over 2010.  The following article was was written by Kathryn Kilkelly, age 17, who received IARS' Research Methods Training as part of her involvement in the Young Foundation's Youth of Today project.

As part of IARS' celebration of young volunteers' achievements we are documenting their personal progress and work over 2010.

The following article was was written by Jamie Lawson, age 22, who received Research Methods Training as part of her involvement in the Youth Voice Journal project.

IARS' new project to carry out youth-led research on young women in the Criminal Justice System has been awarded funding from the MPA. The IARS bid came 2nd out of a total of 62 bids when ranked for outcomes, innovation and value for money. 

On 19th November, Ifeatu Nnaobi, IARS intern aged 22 took over the Chair's role as part of the Children’s Commissioners ‘Take Over Day 2010’. This is an initiative which encourages children and young people to take on top jobs and help them to make big decisions for a day. 

At the IARS office warming party Detective Chief Inspector Eric Phelps gave a speech and praised the Youth Advisory Board for their hard work on recent projects. The MPS and the Youth Advisory Board continue to work together in partnership on several projects. This is a short summary of what has been happening.

The Youth Advisory Board was approached by the Police’s Operation Blunt ahead of the Halloween period to carry out youth-led research. Every year around Halloween and Fireworks night the police face an increased number of serious youth violence incidents.

On the 27th August 2010, IARS was visited by the Crime and Policing unit from the Home Office, along with representatives from the Prolific and other Priorities Offending Programme (PPO). Present at the meeting were IARS' staff and a selection of volunteers from the Youth Empowerment Programme and the Youth Advisory Board to the Serious Youth Violence Board. 

IARS has recently received news from v, the National Youth Volunteering Charity, about specific budget savings to be made this year. The Office of Civil Society (OCS) has asked v to save 5% from their budget for the year 2010-11.

On 29th April 2010 IARS was awarded the Silver grading for a Youth Mark assessment carried out by three young assessors. The Youth Mark is a quality standard designed for organisations that provide services for young people.