OPEN
OPEN is a youth-led and youth-governed charity, our mission is to make Shetland a place where young people can thrive! We have a range of activities for young people in Shetland, read below to find out more.
Peer Education: OPEN recruits and trains young people aged 16-25 to become 'peer educators'. OPEN's main purpose is to embed peer education across Shetland as a methodology of raising awareness and encouraging positive lifestyle choices - especially on issues concerning substance use, relationships, sexual health, and mental health; whilst promoting harm reduction at every opportunity.
Peer Mentoring: OPEN also operate a Peer Mentoring Programme; with the aim to recruit and match mentors (16-25) with mentees (14-21), to facilitate peer-to-peer mentoring sessions for young people who are care experienced and/or in the youth justice system as well as any disadvantaged young people at risk of social isolation or exclusion.
Da Cafe: OPEN runs a space for young people (14-25) in Market House on Mondays and The Hub on Thursdays 4pm-6pm. Da Cafe is there to give young people in Shetland a space to go, where they don't have to spend money to sit in the warmth and access free Wi-Fi.
Peer research: OPEN carries out peer research projects around issues that young people in Shetland face. Our board set the topic of each project based on needs identified from previous projects.
OPEN Board & Youth Governance: OPEN is run by a Board of Trustees aged 16-29, they work together to run the organisation, supported & trained by the organisation development lead and external board mentors. OPEN can also support other young people in this age bracket who would like to take on other leadership and governance roles within the community.