Local young people project wins award at Respect Awards 2012
Groundwork’s Young People Friendly Neighbourhoods (YPFN) Project – delivered in partnership with Sanctuary Housing - is the proud recipient of a Respect Challenge 2012 Award for their work on the Nursery Farm estate in Ashby.
Organised by the Safer North West Partnership, the Respect Challenge provides an opportunity for young people in North West Leicestershire to demonstrate how they can make a positive contribution to their local community. The Award was presented to Groundwork at a prestigious event on the 15th March 2012 by Penny Cureton, East Midlands Airport.
In partnership with Sanctuary, Leicestershire Police and youth support agency FPM, Groundwork’s YPFN project has worked with a group of young people from the Nursery Farm Estate for the past six months. The group has already made a very positive impact in the local area, developing new skills whilst learning how to play an active role within the community.
The starting point for the project came with the YPFN team undertaking a consultation exercise across the local community, including young people, to identify the type of project that would help build community cohesion.
YPFN staff then worked hand in hand with a group of 12 young people to plan, design and deliver all elements of the project, ultimately bringing the community together to plant a Christmas tree and a commemorative plaque. The tree will grow for years to come and is a positive focal point for the whole community to gather around and celebrate every Christmas.
“This project is part of a wider programme of work we are delivering through Young People Friendly Neighbourhoods across the UK,” said YPFN Team Leader, Darren Cashin. “It was a fantastic effort by the local young people, working with Groundwork, Sanctuary, Leicestershire Police and FPM. The award demonstrates how agencies working in partnership and with young people can make a real difference within their local communities.”
Regional manager for Sanctuary Housing, Christa Ripley, added: “The YPFN project is all about bringing young people to work together for the benefit of the wider community, and aims to empower them to take a role in making positive changes to their local neighbourhood.
“We are thrilled that the project has been recognised, and hope this award will go some way to challenging the negative perceptions about young people in our society.”
The Government-backed YPFN scheme will work with up to 1,700 young people across the UK between now and March 2013, building on partnerships with families, housing providers, local authorities and other partners.