Introducing 'Dare London'

What's it all about?

Dare London is a partnership between Summer Uni London, the Mayor's Children and Young People's Unit and London Youth. The partnership’s mission is to ensure that all partner organisations are relevant, accountable and responsive to young people and to provide a formal platform and response process for young Londoners’ needs, issues and concerns.

How did it start?

Each partner organisation recruited approximately six advisors, who completed application forms and interviews to secure their year in term. In July 2007 all Advisors met for an introductory meeting in City Hall’s Living Room, followed by residential training at Woodrow High House which included; public speaking, team building, decision making and communication. Advisors also learnt about who runs London and how to influence them. Each of the advisors gained certification for completing the training and a Youth Advisor Handbook, which outlines Dare London’s aims/objectives and the roles that they will play during their year in term.

How do Summer Unis and Summer Uni London benefit?

We hope that the young advisors will grow to be a great resource for Summer Unis, giving them an excellent opportunity to access consultation from a group of dynamic young people. We regularly update Dare London’s development in our newsletters and Summer Unis are always welcome to access consultation from Dare London. Dare London have already helped Summer Uni London with funding negotiations, as judges on our Summer Uni Grant verification panel and as interviewers for new Summer Uni London staff.

How do young people benefit?

Apart from both the free training they receive, which helps them run and input into the Advisory meetings and other training opportunities offered while in post, Dare London members have access to fantastic opportunities like interviewing David Cameron, helping to design and deliver training packages, being service provision quality assessors, helping to advise on branding for the £79 million pound London Youth Offer . . . to mention just a few!