Positive Memory Bank - Berry Street

Recommendations
“[PMB] is an excellent project, just a shame it has to be capped to only a couple of times a year. As from
time to time opportunities rise (sic) and it creates problems getting money for the activity or opportunity for
the [young people] and they often miss out”
Staff member
The following recommendations are drawn from the range of feedback that was received both
during the application processes and through targeted surveys following the end of the pilot.
These recommendations assume that the continuation of the Positive Memory Bank is not in
question. Some funding has been secured to continue the program and Berry Street has
articulated a commitment to the continued building of a perpetual fund to create a sustainable
funding source for the PMB.
The recommendations below provide guidance for ongoing development of the PMB with the
intention to improve the process and outcomes, ultimately ensuring that the experience as a
whole is positive for all involved.
1. Develop the Giving Group process to engage young people in a meaningful way.
1a. Consult with young people to ascertain the best methods for facilitating youth
participation in the model
1b. Explore the feasibility of conducting all, or part of Giving Group sessions, through
Berry Street education programs or in Residential Units
1c. Schedule Giving Group meetings for school holidays
1d. Address the issues of applicant confidentiality when involving other young people in
the Giving Group process.
2. Ensure clarity and transparency in the applications process to enable applicants to
better manage their expectations and cope with the outcomes
2a. Provide case studies and examples of successful applications to offer applicants
inspiration and an understanding of what the PMB funds.
2b. Recruit representatives to the Giving Group from every region/group and spend an
initial session training them to facilitate information sessions in their region/group
regarding the Positive Memory Bank.
2c. Place greater emphasis on the need to prepare applicants for the possibility that
their application may NOT be successful.
2d. Simplify the information available to applicants and support workers
2e. Review and update application forms to further promote alternatives to written
applications.
3. Streamline the process for receiving, processing and the long-term ownership and
storage of applications.
3a. Establish administrative support by assigning the Positive Memory Bank as the
permanent portfolio of a member of the Central Administration team
3b. Assign Unique Identifiers to each applicant to monitor multiple applications over
Giving rounds and ensure there is a tracking mechanism in place
3c. Establish a system for the storage and return of applications to applicants following a
defined period so as to ensure consistency with life story work, etc. Include this in
the guidelines for workers
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