Youth Matters
Where it all began!

From the voices of young people with additional support needs

The Development of Youth Matters
Voices of Young People creating The Usual Place

Youth Matters 2011 and 2022, to Today...

Youth Matters 2011

The Usual Place grew out of the voices of young people with additional support needs who took part in a one-off event called Youth Matters held at DG One, Dumfries in 2011.

This was the first of its kind in the region and brought lasting and extraordinary insights into how to empower young people’s lives.

The first Youth Matters event was organised by The Usual Place Co-Founder Heather Hall BEM, who at the time worked for DG Voice, and with support from The Holywood Trust. It marked the beginning of significant change across the region.

It’s hard to believe now, but at the time, there was uncertainty about whether young people with additional support needs would feel able to attend or contribute. The idea challenged expectations about what meaningful participation could look like.

Nevertheless, over 100 young people took part.

Professionals attended as “expert listeners” — there to listen, not to lead. At the end of the event, they reflected back to the young people on what they had heard, what they had learned, and how they could commit to changing their practice and services as a result.

The final report was a powerful document, shared widely across Dumfries & Galloway. It became a catalyst for change — and, with funding support from The Holywood Trust and a determined group of volunteers, continuing to put young people’s voices at the heart of everything, led directly to the creation of The Usual Place.

Intention 2011

The intention behind Youth Matters 2011 was to ensure the voices of disabled young people were heard by decision-makers.  At the time there were improvements in this type of communication and involvement of disabled adults through the work of DGVoice, but they identified that disabled young people were largely unheard or considered.  The second Youth Matters Conference in 2022 was instigated by The Usual Place to build on the momentum created in 2011— continuing to amplify the voices of disabled young people for a new generation and turn their insights into meaningful action.

Impact 2011

Youth Matters 2011 established that disabled young people wanted all the same things as their non-disabled peers: continuing opportunities for continuing education after school, social connection and jobs, they wanted to look ahead to their own futures with appropriate support and involvement in decisions about themselves with the intention of creating fulfilling lives not just services.  They identified key areas where support was needed and these  have helped to reshape the environment, ambitions and outlook for many disabled young people across the region.

Outcomes 2011:

Youth Matters successfully sparked a growing commitment to invest in the futures of young people with additional support needs.

From the original event in 2011, and through the continued work of those involved, a number of organisations, roles, and projects were developed that have helped move this work forward in meaningful ways.

These did not happen all at once, and they have continued to evolve over time. Some have changed shape, and some no longer exist in the same form, but each has played an important part in building progress and shaping what has come since.

There has also been wider interest at a national level, including engagement with organisations across the sector and with cross-party politicians. This conversation continues, as does the need for advocacy.

While there has been real progress, it is important to recognise that life is still challenging for many young people with additional support needs. The systems around them are not always designed in their favour.

This is why the work continues.

The following are some of the key developments that came directly from Youth Matters 2011:

(some are still going, others have been part of the development of new organisations and projects):

The Usual Place, Dumfries

This award-winning community café was established in 2015 and has already provided accredited, externally assessed training, education and employability skills for more than 2,000 young people with additional support needs.

Lived Experience Trainers

Disabled young people delivering autism awareness training to businesses
across Dumfries and Galloway.

Research Projects

Disabled young people co-producing and delivering research projects with partners, including The University of Glasgow and The Scottish National Centre for Resilience.

Projects exploring and enabling wider understanding of: the employment potential and transferability of The Usual Place model to other settings, inclusive climate change action.

Wellbeing, Access and Social Developments

Inclusive Play Projects and Playparks

Accessible, affordable and safe playing spaces for disabled children to enjoy are now open across the region, some offering associated programmes of activities.

These are currently in Dumfries, Stranraer, Kelloholm, Lockerbie and Annan with more in progress in Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart.

Changing Places Toilets

These vital facilities provide support for people who are limited in their own mobility so need equipment to help them. Changing Places Toilets have been installed in at least 15 venues across the region with a continuing programme to develop this infrastructure. This ensures that everyone, regardless of their access needs, disability and reliance on the assistance of carers or specialist equipment can visit the region, travel to different places, get involved in events and activities and enjoy being part of their community because they can use a toilet facility hygienically and with dignity.

Buddiez

A social club with a mission to advance education through informal learning opportunities for adults aged16+

Super Mondays Youth Groups

at the Oasis Centre, Dumfries. These very popular weekly drop-in sessions for disabled young people are now well established and provide great places to forge friendships and participate in a variety of fun activities. These groups now take place weekly across Dumfries and Galloway through Youth Work DG in Annan, Dumfries, Dalbeattie, Newton Stewart and Stranraer. The Super Mondays model is currently inspiring new developments by DG Voice to create more social and cultural opportunities and events for young disabled people across the week.

Training, Education and Employability Developments

Multi-Sensory Storytelling Programmes:

Many cultural, heritage, tourism and educational organisations are increasingly understanding the value of integrating accessible storytelling into their work.

This approach helps to engage and attract wider audiences and to make their visitor experiences more relevant, accessible and memorable.

Youth Matters 2022 is for disabled young people aged 12-25 who live in Dumfries & Galloway

What is Youth Matters 2022?

Youth Matters has been created for disabled young people aged 12-25 who live in Dumfries & Galloway
Youth Matters 2022 was planned, led and co-delivered by a Steering Group of disabled young people.
The intention behind Youth Matters is for young people to feel connected and valued, to share their views and make recommendations that will enable them to live the lives they want as adults.

Youth Matters held a conference for over 110 young disabled people in November 2022 at The Bridge, Dumfries and the resulting reports were launched at The Usual Place and, as a result, the Steering Group implemented a number of the intentions that came out of that Conference. This included involvement in planning sessions with Dumfries & Galloway Council Education Department and Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway. Since that time most of the young people who sat on the steering group have gone on to positive destinations including University, employment in Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway.


The People and Organisations Behind Youth Matters 2022

Youth Matters 2022 was led by a Steering Group of young disabled people in partnership with the following organisations: The Usual Place, Youth Work D&G, DG Voice, Third Sector D&G, PAMIS, NHS Dumfries & Galloway.

Sponsors, Funders and Supporters in Kind included:  The Holywood Trust, South of Scotland Enterprise, The People’s Project, Inspiring Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Dumfries & Galloway! What’s Going On.

Since that time, most of the young people who were part of the Steering Group have moved on to positive destinations, including university and employment in Dumfries & Galloway and Glasgow.

At present, Youth Matters does not have an active Steering Group. However, this does not mean the work has come to an end.

As the driver of Youth Matters, The Usual Place has since undergone a restructure to support a more sustainable and relevant long-term approach. As part of this, there may be opportunities to revisit and build on the ideas and aims of Youth Matters in future, either by re-establishing the initiative or by developing this work through other areas of the organisation.

Any young person who is interested in being involved, sharing their views, or helping shape future activity is encouraged to get in touch with The Usual Place.

Read and Download the Full Youth Matters 2022 Report

The Usual Place Youth Forum

Young people’s voices remain at the heart of everything we do at The Usual Place.

We create many opportunities for young people to share their views, ideas and experiences — in ways that feel right for them. Whether speaking, writing, creating, or simply taking part in conversations, every voice matters. These opportunities help young people to develop confidence in expressing themselves, while also ensuring their voices continue to shape what we do and how we grow.

One of the key ways this happens is through our Youth Forum. This provides a safe and supportive space where young people come together to talk about the issues that matter to them. They invite professionals and service providers to share information, ask questions, and give honest feedback — not only on services they encounter, but also on their hopes and ambitions for The Usual Place itself.

The Voices of Young People Today and Every Day

Young people also take part in a wide range of events, where they can speak, listen and connect with others. Alongside this, regular one-to-one conversations with mentors ensure that their experiences, expectations and ideas are heard and understood.

Through all of this, young people don’t just take part — they help shape change.
Their voices continue to influence how The Usual Place develops, ensuring it remains a place that reflects their needs, aspirations and potential.

AWARDS

DG Life Awards – Young Community Champion (2022), Awarded to Sarah Cronie, mentor

OT Awards – Best Placement (Role Emerging) Winner (2020)

OT Awards – Best Practice Educator (Role Emerging) Winner (2020) – Awarded to Sandra McGrath, Early Enablement

SCDI Skills and Learning Award (2020) – Awarded to Morgan Deer, mentor

SQA Star Awards – Pride O’ Worth (2019)

SQA Star Awards – Partnership of the Year (2019)

Nithsdale in Bloom – Best Commercial Premises (2019, 2018, 2017)

Nithsdale in Bloom – Overall Winner (2018)

NHS – Healthy Living Award Award (2018)

Sudocrem – UK Changing Places Toilet of the Year (2018)

CIS Educator of the Year (2018) – Awarded to Tony Budde, External/Chef Assessor

PAMIS – Most Accessible Building and Business, West Scotland (2017)

People First – World Host Destination (2017)

DG Life Award – Volunteer of the Year (2016) – Awarded to Amy Wright, Chairperson

Dumfries in Bloom – Best Newcomer (2016)

DG Life Awards – Best Café (2016)