Local youngsters in Spennymoor have been keeping safe, and off the streets by attending youth sessions funded by our Safer Places Grant, and the Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) Hotspot Trailblazer funding managed by the Police and Crime Commissioners office.
Workers from the Spennymoor Youth and Community Association reached out to teenagers in Spennymoor at their nightly ‘hangouts’ in Jubilee Park, the High Street, Middlestone Moor, and Tudhoe Village to get their ideas on what would keep them off the streets and safe.
A variety of ‘pop up’ youth sessions were arranged by Youth Workers Claire Peat and David Stow, encouraging young people to come along to Tudhoe Community Centre, Spennymoor Youth and Community Centre and other young people’s clubs across the town. Activities included games and multi-sport activities led by the youth workers and accompanied by coaches from Moors in the Community.
Over 50 youngsters aged between 12 and 15 years have regularly attended the youth sessions, reducing the likelihood of anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood nuisance incidents.
Andy Coulthard, Community Regeneration Manager, said, “Spennymoor has so many different activities that young people can get involved in. This project makes sure young people are aware of these and encourages participation.”
Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner: “We know that boredom and a lack of youth provision can increase the prevalence of anti-social behaviour in our communities. This is why I continue to invest funding into expanding the opportunities available for young people to develop their skills and resilience through positive activities such as sport and mentorship. These sessions have been driven and designed by the young people themselves who have been involved at every stage. This makes them much more meaningful. We need to develop more safe spaces where young people can meet and socialise and learn about the risks to their safety while also building their confidence and self-esteem.”
Michael Fishwick, Project Co-ordinator, said, “Taking youth work out onto the streets means we can engage young people in the places where they hang out, getting to know them, having conversations, offering pop up activities, advice, information, signposting and support. Our aim is to connect kids with local youth provision, help them feel part of their communities and help reduce the risks of Antisocial Behaviour.”
Pictured: David Stow (Youth Worker), Claire Peat (Youth Worker), Joy Allen (Police and Crime Commissioner), Michael Fishwick (Project Manager), and Andy Coulthard (Livin Community Regeneration Manager)
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