PeerNetBC offers workshops specifically for peer support-based groups composed of youth or youth allies. These workshops centre values of anti-oppression, intersectionality, and peer support within their design (the ‘what’) and delivery (the ‘how’).
To ensure that these values are being practiced, our custom youth workshops are primarily coordinated and provided by our Youth Community Developer as well as youth facilitators who have been trained in PeerNetBC curriculum and are now part of our Youth Facilitator Network (YFN).
At PeerNetBC, we recognize that youth navigate ageism and other systems of oppression, including those specific to the marginalization of folx who are or are perceived to be younger. As a result, we are mindful that we may deliver workshops in contexts where oppression has been internalized, and it is imperative we do this work in a way that does not recreate those dynamics.
Characteristics of PeerNetBC’s Youth Workshops
Characteristics of PeerNetBC’s youth workshops (as well as our Community Standard Workshops) that reflect these values and intentions include:
Interactivity:
Our workshops incorporate activities that facilitate interaction and connection among participants and the facilitator, and can be movement-based to support this learning (while keeping in mind the different access needs that may exist within a space).
Play-based learning:
The use of ‘games’ is invaluable and serves as a unique way to facilitate reflection-based learning while engaging folks in a comfortable and fun space.
Principles of peer support:
We believe in supporting the needs of a group by ‘meeting them where they are at.’ Our content and delivery methods strive to reflect the best way to meet the needs of a group by centring lived experiences.
Capacity-building:
By acting on all the above characteristics, our workshops aim to support participants in building capacity based on a combination of reflecting on the wisdom of their own lived experiences and by offering new frameworks, skills, and resources where they are needed.
Standard Youth Workshops
PeerNetBC Standard Workshops are in-house workshops that provide an opportunity to get a sense of what our workshops are like and what kind of curriculum we offer.
In addition to our Standard Workshops, PeerNetBC also offers a Youth Standard Series that covers similar topics but is open only to those 25 and under. These workshops aim to create a youth-only space, so they’re delivered by youth too!
This series is held once or twice yearly in the PeerNetBC office. Each workshop is around four hours long, and the workshop themes may shift with each cycle. Folks that attend a workshop can expect to be within a group of 10 to 15 other participants. Attendees are also eligible to receive a certificate signifying the completion of workshop training.
Workshop themes that we have offered in past cycles of the youth standard series include:
- WTF is Oppression?
- Facilitation 101
- Boundaries and Collective Care
- Community Engagement
- Inclusive Leadership
- Capitalism: What’s the Alternative?
- Youth Engagement & Decision-making
- Effective Allyship with Young People
Check out our Community Standard Workshops page for more information on in-house workshops for all ages.
Custom Youth Workshops
Custom workshops are designed to meet the needs of a group. For custom youth workshops, we aim to create spaces where youth 25 and under can be comfortable expressing themselves. We also create workshops for groups of adults, predominantly those who work with youth, on allyship, youth engagement and supporting youth leadership. We collaborate with the workshop ‘host’ to determine what activities best meet the workshop’s goals.
Custom workshops can be tailored for a range of participant numbers and workshop hours. We will help you create a workshop that allows the time and space for meaningful discussion as well as interactivity. Please contact us or see our ‘Custom Workshops’ page for more information.
The topics for custom youth workshops are similar to our custom community standard ones. However, in consideration of the needs and interests of youth or youth allies-based groups, these topics have been workshopped and offered frequently:
- Leadership
- Anti-Oppression
- Community Engagement
- Facilitation 101
- Team Building and Group Decision-making
- Youth Engagement
- Effective Allyship with Young People
Check out all of our workshop themes and our general custom workshops page to get more information.
Join our youth newsletter for opportunities within the community
Check out our calendar to see any upcoming workshops and events
Contact us for any questions, or more information
Participant Reflections
I had a great time at the Diversity and Inclusion workshop! The facilitators, Cadence and Lydia, were friendly and engaging, and went to great lengths to ensure all attendees felt welcome. The group activities were fun and also helped demonstrate concepts like equity versus equality. I didn’t get bored!
I attended the PeerNetBC Youth Summer Series. What a wonderful way to end my summer! The workshop was a four part series, and I attended all of them. They were facilitated by Simran, and were amazing. It was a transformative experience for me, and I found myself gushing to my friends about what I learned everyday.