A safe, welcoming space for young people
As well as delivering regular weekly youth club sessions at St Martin’s Community Centre, the Enthusiasm Trust has recently been delivering pop-up outreach work within the Allenton Big Local Area.
This work is supported by Allenton Big Local and has been focused on the main shopping area, in Boulton Park, on the MUGA at the end of Wilkins Drive and along the canal path. Enthusiasm’s presence in these locations has been aimed at engaging young people, giving them access to youth work support, and promoting the youth activities on offer locally. Enthusiasm works with local organisations, including the Police, Derby Homes and Derby City Council, to tackle and target anti social behaviour and provide support for local young people.
Enthusiasm provides a safe space and a welcoming environment that all young people can access within their own community. Trained youth workers and specialist youth mentors are on hand at all of the sessions: their role is to deliver activities that are fun and engaging, and to provide information, advice and guidance on a whole range of issues and topics affecting young people in Allenton.
By working closely with the ASB team and housing officers from Derby Homes, Enthusiasm is able to reach out to the most problematic cohort of young people and offer support to many other young people and their families who may be affected by community issues.
While delivering the pop-up events and youth activities Enthusiasm brings in other professionals, community leaders, parents, residents and local businesses and – by tapping into the skills and experiences of these guests – is able to help young people widen their own views and life-skills and develop positive goals and aspirations. Guest speakers are encouraged to talk about their own personal journeys and share how they arrived at where they are now, including their successes and the challenges they faced on the way. These interactions work really well and provide young people with positive role models within their own community.
Young people are also given activities and advice on subjects such as healthy lifestyles and exercise, healthy eating, and positive relationships. This has included box fit and yoga classes, and healthy eating and cooking workshops. All of these sessions have been supported by residents and professionals from the local area.
Young people are also offered support with homework or revision and provided with a safe, calm space where they can focus and concentrate on these important activities without distraction.
Marc Stevens from Enthusiasm said: “We now have a core group of young volunteers and apprentices who turn up every week to support the Allenton Big Local youth provisions. These young people are also given opportunities to build relationships with other agencies such as the Police and Derby Homes by getting involved in Voices in Action and the Derby Homes Youth Board, as well as local litter picks and clean-ups organised by local neighbourhood officers and councillors.”
You can read more about the fantastic youth work being delivered by Enthusiasm in their latest report here on our website.