BUZZ

BUZZ was set up in the Spring of 2004 as part of the Children and Young Peoples’ Team at Action in rural Sussex. It responded to a need within rural communities to work directly with young people and those who support them in their own rural communities, for example those many volunteers involved in running youth clubs and other provision.
The project champions young people’s rights to have a voice in their own community’s decision making processes. It advises young people on how they can voice their needs and to understand what those needs might be.

BUZZ assists rural communities to hold consultations with their young people as part of the Parish Plan process. It works with Parish Councils, Village Hall Committees, existing youth groups and individuals to communicate effectively with their young people and to follow up the identified actions.

BUZZ supports the young person regardless, or even because of their situation in the community. This may be within an existing group who find it difficult to work with individuals or certain sections of the community. It maybe a perceived generational or social gap that needs knowledge, skill and encouragement of acceptance to resolve. Buzz can be an independent facilitator to undertake this.

BUZZ has provided training and role development to both adult volunteers and young people. It encourages communities to identify what their own learning needs are. It supports learning ‘by doing’ as it works with a group to meet its own targets. The Buzz Project encourages individuals to support not only their needs but also those of their community both now and for the future.

The project is able, due to its neutrality and voluntary status, to represent young people and their communities unconditionally.

The BUZZ Project is co-funded by the ESCC Youth Development Service and by the European Leader+ Fund, managed through the WARR Partnership and covers the parishes within the WARR Partnership area of Rother and East Wealden.

Contact: Johanna Partridge
johanna.partridge@ruralsussex.org.uk
01424 777980