Just before Christmas our Youth Team and Albion in the Community launched our Youth Action Project in Whitehawk. The project was created with young people in the summer of 2020 and received Youth Led Grant Funding to pay for training, resources and an end of project celebration.
The project offers young people the chance to feel part of the solution to issues in their community and get involved by giving up their time to volunteer to help out with local needs. It is also part of the 5 ways to wellbeing initiative as helping others is a great way of looking after your own wellbeing. Six young people went to an introduction evening and we were able to offer two opportunities for them to get involved with before Christmas.
A couple of young people took on the job of delivering the Due East newsletters in Whitehawk, Manor Farm and on the Bristol Estate. The newsletter contains important information for local residents so having some young volunteers helping to get it delivered was just brilliant. Tony from AITC went out with them to give them support and take the obligatory selfie!
The other opportunity was to support the new Give Street Project with a donation drop off event at the Hanover Community Centre on the last Sunday before Christmas. The project wanted food and clothes donations that would then be distributed to the Vale and Brighton Food Banks, the Hanover Homeless Project and Off the Fence.
Young people helped out with greeting donators and sorting out the goods offered. There was a fantastic response from the community so they were kept busy.
‘They were so helpful on the day and kept everyone’s spirits up with their energy and enthusiasm. They had a great time and are keen to get involved in the next event.’
Caroline, Youth Manager
‘We did well! All them people will be really thankful! Especially the people that need them most! Well done team till next time’.
Lauran, Project Participant
“On our first donation drop-off, we were delighted to welcome and work alongside Randy and Lauran, whose appliance, attitude and organisation were exemplary! We were proud to have them both representing Give Street Project to the general public on such an important occasion for us.”
Darren, Give Street Project
With the current lockdown we are holding back from sending young people out on volunteering opportunities. However, we are looking at offering an intergenerational pen pal project so watch this space
Check out the Give Street Project on Facebook or contact Sophie Murphy, Senior Youth Worker for more information for the Youth Action Project