Involving young people

There are three projects that have been specifically targeted at young people:

About this service

Youth works

This project has provided an opportunity for young people, aged 13 - 25 years, to become actively involved in environmental improvements in their communities.  These environmental improvements have been determined young people in four communities throughout the district.

The project responds to an issue that came out of the 'sorted' community safety youth project (SRB/NRF).  Young people involved in the project had identified specific geographical areas where there was a problem with access to open space or a lack of facilities for young people.  The police and other agencies had also identified 'hotspots' where young people were perceived as causing a nuisance.  In some areas, individual young people were identified as causing a problem.  This project is a response to these issues but was also seen by youth workers as an opportunity for personal development work with young people.

Youth Works is a development of the 'sorted' project on youth engagement.  The project involves young people using the 'planning for real' tool in specific communities.  A team of local young people consulted with a wider group of young people to map how they used open space and what improvements they would like to see.  Adults, including town/district councillors were also consulted.  This resulted in the production of a 'Neighbourhood Profile'.  The outcome will be small, visible, capital improvements of benefit to young people.

There are four locations:

• Blackhall Rocks: youth shelter, path, lighting and kick-about
• Deneside, Seaham: zip slide, outdoor meeting area defined by boulders
• Deaf Hill, Trimdon Station: informal meeting area (seats, boulders) and kick-about
• Eden Hill: consultation still underway 

There have also been activities/trips for those young people who worked on project consultation/development.  These are viewed as 'rewards' for their involvement.

Youth Forum Transport

Liveability has provided funding for a wheelchair accessible mini-bus, which transports young people to and from Youth Forum meetings and also to any other activities that the Youth Forum participates in.

This initiative has provided reliable and accessible transport to Youth Forum members, leading to increased attendance for young people, who may be socially isolated to the geographical dimensions of the District.

The provision of this mini-bus has also supported East Durham Community Transport, who have used the vehicle as part of their community fleet to enhance their capacity.

SPYRAL (Sandhills Project for Youth Recreation and Leisure) Community Gardens

Funding was allocated to SPYRAL to create a community allotment for the Murton area.  The project aims to promote and encourage gardening, healthy eating and exercise to schools and the local community.  The top of the garden (currently underused) will act as a nursery for introducing community members to the health benefits of allotment gardening.