enthusiasm Tag

skatingDuring the refurbishment of St Martin’s Community Centre, the Enthusiasm Trust delivered youth sessions in October, November and December at alternative outreach venues within the Allenton Big Local area.

This included theatre trips, workshops, and a visit to the ice-skating rink in Derby. 

Their aim was to engage local young people in street based sports and games such as football, basketball, invasion games and a Christmas treasure hunt. The activities were designed to continue to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and risk-taking activities and ensure their continued engagement and communication with youth mentors in anticipation of the youth club re-opening at St Martin’s. As well as sports and games, young people had the chance to take part in: 

  • an anger management workshop
  • two theatre trips
  • a fireworks event, and 
  • two Christmas workshops

The Enthusiasm Trust has continued to deliver a packed schedule of activities throughout the summer, many of which have been funded by Allenton Big Local. Enthusiasm provided seven open access youth provisions through weekly youth club sessions at St Martin’s Community Centre and throughout the ABL area through the Summer Splash programme.

54 young people participated through these clubs and activities with 100 engagements in total. The sessions included football, games, CV workshops and girl-only sessions, including piloting a new girl only club called ‘Girl Code’ which was launched with a girls sleepover. 

It’s been a busy few months for the Enthusiasm Trust who have been continuing to deliver lots of activities for young people in Allenton. As well as the weekly youth club sessions at St Martin’s Church on Flint Street, they have also been providing weekly outreach and engagement work at the shopping area in Boulton Park, around the MUGA at the end of Wilkins Drive (near to Aldi), outside Merrill Academy on Brackens Lane and along the canal path.  

At both the outreach sessions and the youth club itself, Enthusiasm makes sure that young people are made aware that youth mentors are available for half an hour each side of the regular youth club time slot. The mentors can provide advice and further support, and are there for anyone who wants to raise any safeguarding issues they may have.

youthclubworkshopAs 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.

Big Local funding is helping young people in Allenton gain new experiences and opportunities.

A youth club has been set up by Enthusiasm, which is being held at St Martins Church Hall – the site of the proposed community hub. During January to March, students from the University of Derby helped Enthusiasm to deliver the youth club sessions. This allowed the students to learn valuable team work skills and gain experience of working with young people. It also gave the young people a chance to form new friendships, and improve their confidence and skills. The youth club will continue to run regularly every Tuesday between 7pm and 9pm. At the moment, between 30 and 40 young people attend, and the numbers are increasing weekly.

Allenton Big Local funds a number of activities aimed at helping young people gain new skills, confidence and experience. These programmes are delivered by the Enthusiasm Trust, an Allenton based organisation that works with young people to improve their lives.

This month, Enthusiasm provided its quarterly report in person as a presentation at our monthly Allenton Big Local Partnership Group meeting. Reading written reports is always useful, but there is nothing quite like hearing directly from the people who deliver activities. In fact, Enthusiasm went one better and brought along Courtney, a young person who is being mentored by Enthusiasm and who also helps out by volunteering with them. Courtney talked to the Partnership Group about what the programme has offered her and how she is benefiting.