DYN is a voluntary organisation that supports rural communities to listen to their young people and provide leisure activities to meet their needs.
We began in West Berkshire in 2002 but our experience is relevant to any rural community.
In 2009, DYN became part of BACYP. We still keep our own identity and funding but can benefit from being part of a larger and more robust organisation.
About DYN Partners Projects Contact DYN
About the Downland Youth Network
Can DYN help you?
If funding is available and we are invited by a rural community, DYN will consult with and represent the needs of children, young people and communities; and will work with them and other partners to create real lasting solutions.
We develop local rural services, in village communities, at times young people need them.
What makes DYN unique?
- We listen
- We consult
- We do/deliver
- We help young people to have a voice
- We bridge the gap between young and old
- We operate in the rural areas
- We help local communities to help themselves.
- 8 – 18 age range
- We are independent
The DYN Team
- The Rev Lady Denise Brown, Chair
- Rev John Townend, Oxford Diocese Rural Officer
- Kay Willis, Hermitage Parish Council
- June Hateley, Beedon and Peasemore Youth Club
- Dave Seward – Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People
- Sarah Emery - BACYP
DYN also represents the needs of rural children and young people through memberships of the following organizations and forums:
- West Berkshire Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Forum
- West Berkshire Involving Young People Group
- West Berkshire Children's Trust
Commission for Rural Communities – Best Practice
In 2006, DYN’s work was cited as a good practice example by the Commission for Rural Communities (part of the Countryside Agency). The CRC chose about thirty examples of Best Practice from across the UK. The booklet produced by the CRC on DYN’s work is available on www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk
Partners
DYN cannot function without partners or funding. Our current partners and funders include:
BACYP is our main partner and has worked with the Downland Youth Network since we began in 2002. In 2009, DYN formally became part of BACYP www.bacyp.co.uk
West Berkshire Council Youth Services are working with DYN and the Family Resource Centre to support and develop the Download website project. The website is hosted within the Connected Learning 
Community, which is used by all children and schools in West Berkshire. Students at a number of secondary schools throughout West berkshire contribute as editors to this e-magazine which young people can read and contribute to www.thedownload.org.uk 
The Download website project is funded through a grant awarded by
Greenham Common Trust
DYN is grateful to those Parish Councils who contribute to their core running costs.
Who has funded DYN?
DYN has received funding from Berkshire Community Foundation: the Local Network Fund, Global Grants and Give a Child a Chance, Greenham Common Trust, Vodafone UK Foundation, West Berkshire Rural Transport Partnership and the West Berkshire Children’s Fund. We have also received in kind support from West Berkshire Council, Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People, Community Council for Berkshire, Community Action West Berkshire and the Countryside Agency (now the Commission for Rural Communities)
Projects
2004 – Present The Download Website
Following a small pilot project at John O Gaunt School in 2004/05 leading to bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards for those taking part, DYN obtained initial funding from Vodafone to set up an e-magazine for all young people in West Berkshire. The website includes a database of information for young people which is maintained by the Family Resource Centre. Young people from a variety of schools in West Berkshire are volunteer e-journalists, submitting their articles and designs. www.thedownload.org.uk
DYN works with Parish Planning Groups to consult with young people in rural communities. The outcomes are then fed back to the Parish Planning Group or Parish Council and with their agreement, DYN supports the young people and adult village representatives to develop an identified sustainable project and find funding to make it a reality. Great Shefford Youth Club was formed through this kind of process.
As part of this process, Speak Out events are now being organised to encourage young people to have their say about their local community. For more information go to the Action For All website.
2003-2006 The Rural Youth Activities Project employed a part-time Youth Worker to organise activities and sports in a number of rural villages on a regular basis. In partnership with BACYP's SPLAT team and a mobile ICT bus, activities were provided for 8 years’ old and upwards. The project also employed a part time Community Development Worker to work with parents and community members to set up a committee to take over the running of the activities by forming a youth club. Five clubs were established in this way between 2003 and 2006, serving up to 50 young people in each session. They all receive ongoing support and training from BACYP.
Clubs developed by the project include:
- Compton Bananaz - junior group and Teenscene
- Frilsham Freaks
- Leckhampstead Lizards
- West Ilsley Westside
- We also have involvement with Beedon and Peasemore Youth Club.
Great Shefford Youth Club
As part of the DYN pilot project which has worked with rural Parish Planning Groups, Great Shefford has set up a new youth club and has refurbished the football goals on the recreation field. FInd out what's going on at the club by visiting their website www.greatsheffordyouthclub.co.uk
For more information about individual clubs please contact DYN.
2005 – Outrider Pilot Transport Scheme
Working with the School Council at the Downs School a group of young people between 15 years and 17 years were given vouchers to subsidise bus and taxi transport. The project was funded by the Rural Transport Partnership. 30 young people in rural villages with no access to transport benefited over the six month period. The report is now available but applications for rollout funding have been unsuccessful to date.
2006 – 2008 'Dreams into Action' Video Consultation Project
Funded by the Big Lottery, DYN compiled a video example of good practice in consulting with young people. This was uploaded to the West Berkshire website and is also available to Parish Planning groups through CCB.
What's new
Contact DYN by e-mailing Denise Brown at denisefbrown@gmail.com or through the BACYP office
Contact us to learn more about Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People.
Young people have their say
DYN Awards
Commission on Rural Communities