In-volve has pioneered work with
young people on drug related issues. Back in 1987 - the so called
‘Summer of Love’ - In-volve began life in East London as a project that
knew it had to find a way to communicate with the youth of that
generation who were using new drugs like XTC, and were not listening to
the ‘just say no’ messages coming from government agencies.
As a result of direct research with young people, In-volve formed the
Youth Awareness Programme in 1989. The first drugs agency
designed by young people for young people. YAP projects lead the field by innovating
new ways to reach, communicate, educate, and provide treatment for those affected by
drug issues.
We made some mistakes, but they enabled us to learn and grow with
YAP projects eventually becoming established across the South East of
England. The YAP model has informed the thinking at a national policy
level on how best to engage with young people on these issues.
We now have a wide range of other young people’s services across the
country that appeal to them in a wide variety of ways. But the
underlying principle remains the same. The reason why our services for
young people are so successful is because we have never forgotten what
it feels like to be one.
We make sure their voices are heard.
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Young People’s services
In-volve believes that to reach young people, you need to think like one
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