Okehampton Trip 2nd – 4th November 2007
Through the course of several meetings, a core group of young people has become established. In order to encourage this core group to confidently approach new members to join the forum, a residential training course was arranged for the 2nd – 4th November 2007.
In total 8 young people, from 10 – 14 years, stayed at the Youth Hostel in Okehampton accompanied by Cindy and Vicki from the Neighbourhood Management Team and Kie, a Police Community Support Officer.
Ezra and Lauren from YoMo (Youth Movers) provided the training and worked with the kids on identifying:
- What resources are currently available to young people on the 4 estates
- What issues are there in the area
- What opportunities are there
- What are the barriers
In addition to these they also looked at developing a community engagement strategy and what the group could do for their first project.
It wasn’t all work, work, work for those involved, the group also did fun activities such as a 2 hour ‘night walk’ on Dartmoor, wall climbing and lots of other team building and outdoor activities.
The weekend was very successful and enjoyed by all participants. The group identified 2 projects that they would like to work on:
- 1. Community litter pick – check back soon for a date!
- 2. Wildlife Project
Since their return, 4 Youth have met with Dot, a local Wildlife Warden to discuss possible project ideas. Dot has kindly agreed to discuss the project with other Wardens in the area from different specialities with a view to setting up a scoping exercise of the rhyne on Lonsdale Avenue with 4 Youth in early December.
4 Youth also hope to work with local group, Community DIY Project located on Oldmixon Crescent, in making hedgehog boxes.
