Wotz yr Story

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Wotz yr Story? A community thru young peoples
eyes
3 July 2008
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Project Rationale

• Hutt YATA
• Core Groups
• Periphery
• Creative Ideas on Youth Drinking
• Place alcohol in context
• Shift from alcohol and youth to youth in the
  valley
• Youth as important contributors
• Impact to create change

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Method - Photovoice

• How do youth feel about being young in the Hutt
• What issues about their social and physical
  environment are important / significant
• Young people taking photos
• Supporting PAR techniques- mapping / diagrams
• Influence those who have ability to create change

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Back to Uni

• Partnership with Victoria University Wellington
• Participatory Research Students
• Provided a workforce
• Gave some academic rigor
• Required supervision and support

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Youth Recruitment

• Process
• How many young people do we need?
• How many young people can we get?
• Ongoing commitment
• Selection Bias

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Research Process

• Preparing for Photovoice
• Ethics and Approval
• Arranging venues and access
• Taking of Photographs
• Supporting Evidence
• Provides triangulating data
• Helps photographers shape their thinking

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Outcomes

• Youth Participation
• Respected for their ideas
• Regarded as competent contributors
• Well able to express themselves
• Aware of environment
• Aware of problems / issues

• Common Themes
• Alcohol and drugs
• Diversity
• Escape and boredom
• Food
• Intimidation and violence
• Mutual understanding between youth adults
• Pressure to conform
• Recommendations
• More youth friendly city
• Opportunities / facilities / accessible /
  affordable

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Key Lessons

• Community led research with academic partnerships
  work and are valuable tools for change
• Allow plenty of time for -
• Planning
• Coordination of resources / timetables etc
• Think ahead how to use for maximum benefit
• Plan for contingencies - have options
• What now? Evaluation in partnership with
  Victoria University

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Contacts

• Andrea Boston
• Regional Public Health
• 04 570 9138 andrea.boston_at_huttvalleydhb.org.nz
• Andrea Curtis
• Upper Hutt City Council
• 04 527 2797 andrea.curtis_at_uhcc.govt.nz
• Adrian Peoples
• Hutt City Council
• 04 570 6718 adrian.peoples_at_huttcity.govt.nz