According to recent research in the United Kingdom, 77,000 people under the age of 16 run away from home for the first time every year. Around a quarter of them first run away before the age of 11, and one in fourteen do so before the age of 8.[*]
In an effort to tackle this serious and growing issue, the Make a Connection educational programme has extended its remit to cover the area of missing young persons. The National Missing Persons Helpline, a charity that receives calls from young runaways every day through its Message Home Helpline, identified the need for the educational pack and is very pleased to be working with the Make a Connection team.
Make a Connection is a global initiative involving the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia. IYF's country partner, The Children and Youth Partnership Foundation (CYPF), has developed the make a Connection programme in the UK. About 1,200 schools are using The Make a Connection life skills manual in their personal, social and health education (PSHE) and Citizenship curricula to foster important life skills, values and attitudes in young people aged 11-16. The Make a Connection programme also provides support to teachers through specialist training, tailored evaluation materials and on-line support for the resource.
The new module contains 4 lessons about the issues surrounding young people running away, and is currently being trialled at schools in half a dozen local education authorities throughout England. The focus of these 4 new lessons is on preventive action, helping young people develop the skills, personal resources and knowledge to tackle the causes of running away so that they may be aware of the options open to them, thereby making running away an absolute last, rather than a first, resort.
Carlton Television will be focusing on the subject of missing young persons in a programme called 'Home for Christmas' which will air on 20 December at 2.30pm. The programme, made in partnership with the National Missing Persons Helpline, will show some of the new module lessons being taught at Bishopsford School in Merton, South London, a school participating in the Make a Connection programme.
Make a Connection was introduced to the school in September 2001 and School Administrator Paul Harwood has commented: "(Since that time) I've noticed a significant difference in the way students take on leadership roles, the way they are prepared to volunteer, engage in activities, and deal with relationship problems."
Kelly, a Year Nine student at Bishopsford School echoes his comments: "I have learnt that there are many ways to deal with stress e.g. share the problem and try to boost your self-esteem".
Mark Squires, Director of Corporate Communications, Nokia, explains his company's involvement in the initiative: "The Make a Connection programme is open to all UK schools and we know from the teachers' feedback that it is helping to make a real difference, especially to those young people who have the greatest need. We fully support the extension of the programme to incorporate the serious issue of young people running away."
If you are a teacher or interested party and would like to find out more about Make a Connection, visit: www.makeaconnection.org.uk. And for information about the issues surrounding running away and missing people visit: www.missingpersons.org
About Make a Connection
Make a Connection is a program dedicated to helping children and young adults become competent, responsible, and caring individuals. As a result, young people on five continents have already experienced success in their personal progress - and learned that they have the power to shape their own future.
Make a Connection is a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia.
In April 2000, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia launched the Make a Connection program: a global, multi-year partnership to promote positive youth development by giving young people an opportunity to make a connection to their communities, to their families and peers, and to themselves.
In recognition that even a traditional education is not necessarily a guarantee of success in today's world, Make a Connection places particular emphasis on local programs that teach life skills. Life skills range from soft skills like conflict management and teamwork to concrete skills like household finances and computer literacy. The goal is to provide youth with permanent skills that will empower them to become competent, confident, responsible, and caring adults.
Make a Connection is operating on five continents. You can find information about local programs on our program pages. Make a Connection also supports YouthActionNet.org, an Internet resource for youth interested in creating change in their communities.
More information about Make a Connection can be found at: www.makeaconnection.org
About Nokia
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its partnership with IYF and other regional philanthropic and social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for many years, with Nokia employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of programs throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com.
Nokia is committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the advanced technology, products and services the company creates. Through its partnership with IYF and other regional philanthropic and social responsibility programs, the company prepares young people to embrace opportunities and possibilities created by the global economy and new technological advancements. The company has been an active regional contributor to youth and education causes for many years, with Nokia employees making their own contributions as volunteers in a range of programs throughout the world. More information on Nokia can be found at www.nokia.com.
About NMPH
National Missing Persons Helpline was established as a charity in 1992. It is dedicated to helping missing persons, their families and those who care for them and has the most detailed 'missing persons' database in the country. The Charity's Message Home Helpline is a confidential helpline for people who have left home/run away. Over 75% of calls received by the Message Home Helpline are from people under 16 years of age.
Further information:
GBC Press Office
Tel. +44 208 322 1922
email nokia@gbc.co.uk
NMPH Press Office
Tel. +44 208 392 4510/11/12
[*] Source: The Children's Society report 'Still Running' 1999.