Kendry Youth Play Project held a series of events in 2002 to find out what young people thought were priorities for the area. Young people wanted a place for activities such as football and skateboarding. The eighteen month project has contributed to the regeneration of the area and young people now benefit from a skate park, zip line, rock climbing facilities and a music room as well as having contributed to the wider regeneration of thete area.
Tag Archives: campaigning
Making the estate a better place to live
Young people wanted to clean up their estate and improve the youth facilities available. They attended youth residents meetings organised by a youth development officer and formed the Stonebridge Youth Group. The group raised many issues including safety, the need for facilities and the general level of cleanliness in the area. Some of the changes that have happened include a renovated football cage and the clearing of disused play areas. Young people feel that Stonebridge is a safer and better place to live since the changes.
Young people take action for community benefit
Young people identified that their local area was dirty and needed to be improved. A series of Operation Sweep Clean events were organised where young people were supported to clear their local area and park of litter and improve the appearance of the general surroundings. There has been a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the local area and the park. People are more attracted to the park, streets are clear of litter and anti-social behaviour has reduced.
Practical solutions to unfair trade
Following a global trade day at school, young people decided they wanted to do something practical to support Fairtrade. The school supported the groups Fairtrade fundraising activities and used Fairtrade products in the staff room. The young people went on to form Fairtradelicious which now supplies Fairtrade products to the local area and has a turnover of several thousand pounds.
Campaigning to make a difference overseas
Following concerns raised by young people the youth service held a meeting at the town hall to explore their response to the Tsunami. Young people decided that they wanted to raise money for young people in Sri Lanka and develop an exchange programme. A steering group of young people was formed, called MAD (Make A Difference), to lead the youth response. MAD secured the facilities, interest and volunteer time to host three talent events in the local area. In addition YOF funds were secured and MAD is an Action Speaks Louder competition winner. To date £3,000 has been raised for people in Sri Lanka affected by the Tsunami. MAD members will visit a community project, identified by Action Overseas, to support local people with the financing and building of a new community centre. The work of MAD and the development of an exchange project continues.
A space for young people and a movement toward community regeneration
Originally an after school club, Indigos recognised the need for an outdoor area for children and young people to play. Young people were saying that they were getting into trouble playing on the local streets. A local school offered Indigos a disused plot of land that was overgrown and used as a dumping ground. The children, young people and local residents cleared the land and have developed a space for adventure play, with many facilities. Agreed ground rules keep the children and young people safe and offer a space for children and young people to ‘go wild’, they lead the project and evaluate it themselves. The project has won two government awards because of the positive impact on the local community.
Successful campaign for cheaper fares on the island
Young people on the Isle of Wight had to pay adult fare on the buses at the age of 14. As a result travelling around the island to accessing services or facilities was often very expensive. Young people campaigned for many years about this issue and have successfully secured a flat rate bus/ train fee of 50p for young people in full time education or training. Young people are now able to travel to school and college for less and explore the island cheaply.
Skate park renovation
Young people formed the New Ramp Group (NRG) and campaigned to have the skate park renovated. After three years of fundraising the young people have raised enough to begin construction. The district council have supported the young people’s campaign and liaised with them in relation to the design of the park.
Local young activists keep play area open
Children and young people wanted to stop a planning application for an access road that would have destroyed a long standing play area. They formed an action group made up of local residents, organised a petition, wrote formal letters of opposition and attended planning meetings. The decision has been deferred whilst an alternative access point is found.
Young people take action to secure BMX facilities
Young people unofficially built dirt jumps to ride their bikes on a piece of disused land at the edge of the village. As the parish owned the land, insurance was raised as an issue. The insurance company wouldn’t cover the jumps and they were pulled down in January 2006. Young people researched existing tracks and insurance situations to put forward a case to the parish council. They invited an experienced track builder to talk to the council and tackled the issue of fundraising. The council agreed the plans and loaned the cost of the build whilst fundraising continued. As a result of their success in securing their track the young people have formed a youth council and continue to make changes in their village.