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#hearMeOut: Empowering SEN Youth
26 Jun
Summary
- Youth workers and SEN pupils designed a campaign to educate the public.
- The #hearMeOut campaign uses characters to represent real-life challenges.
- Young people with disabilities seek societal change and better understanding.
Youth workers from New Lodge in north Belfast have collaborated with pupils from Harberton Special School to launch the #hearMeOut campaign. This initiative is designed to educate the wider public about the needs of young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
The campaign features posters and graphics that aim to foster understanding, such as clarifying that a need for more time to respond is not rudeness. Six characters and avatars were created, representing the real-life issues faced by the young people involved, based on their personal stories.
Ella Nocher from New Lodge Youth Centre highlighted that the campaign focuses on young people with disabilities wanting to express their everyday struggles, like a lack of patience from others or being overlooked. She emphasized that society should adapt to embrace these individuals rather than expecting them to change.
Youth worker Neve Robinson noted the two-year partnership with Harberton pupils, learning not to underestimate their ability to communicate effectively with support. The collaboration has been mutually beneficial, with both the young people and the youth workers gaining valuable experiences and insights.
