A youth work project has been developed for South Ward which enables youth workers to be out on the streets meeting young people where they hang out rather than being based in a community venue.
Michelle Cleary, Senior Youth Worker, engages with local young people to find out what sort of facilities they would like to see in the area and encourages them to get involved in some of the existing activities on offer and, in doing so, hopes to reduce some of the division and fear that exists between the generations. The project works with 13 to 19 year olds, specifically those who aren’t in touch with other agencies or youth groups.
Michelle has been working with young people in South Ward for several years and has built up a great mix of skills and experience. It’s a big challenge, going out on the streets delivering youth work, but it’s important that young people are listened to and what they want is feedback to the Neighbourhood Management Team.
The project is being funded by the South Ward Neighbourhood Management Partnership in direct response to local concerns about the limited provision in the area for youngsters and is managed by North Somerset Council’s Children and Young People’s Service.
A range of summer activities were delivered across the four estates during July – August 2009.
Activities included : Football, Dance workshops, BBQ’s, Airbrush Tattooist and Circus Skills and some trips. They were able to engage with 20-30 young people during the sessions.
Given the success of the summer activities programme, the project continues to attract new young people and they will bring their own ideas of what activities they wish to engage in and issues they need to have addressed.
There is clearly a need to address existing and emerging needs as the young people currently accessing the detached project continue to develop which the project needs to respond to, including introducing issue based work, signposting to other provision and working in partnership with Weston Youth Centre.
Our current programme is outlined below.
Neighbourhood Youth Project - Age 13 - 19 Years
| Monday | |
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3.00 - 5.00pm Youth Bus @ Coronation Park 4.00 - 5.00pm Football @ Coronation Park |
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| Tuesday | |
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6.30 - 8.00pm: Cooking Group @ Broadoak (You MUST see a youth worker 1st) 7.15 - 8.15pm: Dance @ Weston Youth Centre |
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| Wednesday | |
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6.30 - 7.30pm: Workshops @ For All Healthy Living Centre 6.00 - 9.00pm: Youth Cafe @ For All Healthy Living Centre (50p entrance fee) |
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| Thursday | |
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5.00 - 6.00pm: Football @ Oldmixon School 6.15 - 7.15pm: Fitness session @ Open Door Oldmixon 7.15 - 8.00pm: outreach oldmixon park |
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| Friday | |
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3.00 - 5.00pm: Youth Bus @ Bournville Park |
Call or text Michelle Cleary 07825 341295.