A proposal to cut hundreds of thousands of pounds from youth services in Brighton and Hove prompted young people to protest before a meeting of councillors this afternoon (Monday 28 November).
Some of the young people who are helped by the Hangleton and Knoll Project gathered at St Richard’s Church Hall, in Egmont Road, on the Knoll estate in Hove.
And Hangleton and Knoll Project youth work co-ordinator Michelle Old addressed members of the Brighton and Hove City Council Neighbourhoods, Communities and Equalities Committee.
She said spoke about the importance of community-based youth work and how it supports young people to make good choices for themselves, their families and the community.
It prevents harm further down the line, she said, with her youth team currently running two drop-ins a week for young people, a young women-only group, a young leaders training programme, two schools health drop-ins, work with young men and “a detached work programme where we go out into the community and meet young people in the local parks, bus stops … wherever they are”.
“So what difference does this make?” she said. “From all my experience and for the young people who have come to show their support today I can, hand on heart, say youth work works and has a huge positive impact on the lives of young people.
Good youth work builds the relationships that young people need when they feel they have no one to turn to.
“For example, in the words of one young woman, ‘Youth workers have listened to me when I have needed help to understand my life. I never feel judged which I really like because I can talk to them without feeling insecure about myself.’
“Hangleton and Knoll Ward has the highest incidences of mental health issues in the city as identified in the public health report on wellbeing. This is across the age groups and particularly with our young people.
“We work with young people who experience depression, self-harm, anxiety, bullying. What support would be available to these young people as we all know that CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and other support services are already overstretched.”
She quoted a youngster who has been supported by the project: “Before I started coming here, I didn’t know what to do. I was hanging around and getting into trouble and always having arguments with people.
“I started coming here, having more fun and lining up (behaving responsibly). Without this place, I’d probably be in more trouble, so it means quite a lot.”
And she quoted a 16-year-old boy who has become an assistant youth worker: “Before I became an assistant youth worker, I used to get into a lot of trouble and smoke a lot of weed which affected me at school.
“Since I have more responsibility I know I can’t do this any more as the younger ones are looking up to me as a role model.
“This is sometimes difficult but when I’m about to do something stupid I ask myself, ‘would an assistant youth worker do this?’
“And it helps me think about it more. I definitely feel more positive about life – and confident – since I have done this.”
Councillor Emma Daniel, who chairs the committee, said, “I can’t give you a fuller response right now,” and praised her for speaking out.
——–
What youth work means to young people at the Hangleton and Knoll Project …
• “If it wasn’t for the youth team, I would be in prison or something. You guys have definitely helped us a lot. I have a better life. I know what I want to do now and all of us are getting jobs and going to college thanks to you. You (the youth team) are like our family and I just wanted to say thanks.”
• “Before I started coming to these sessions, I used to hang out with the wrong crowd. I didn’t feel like I had any respect for myself. I was doing crazy stuff. I was always rude to teachers but now I know I’m worth more than all that. I have respect for myself. Even my social worker, teachers and family have seen a difference in me.”
• “We literally have you (the youth workers) and that’s it. That’s probably the only reason that we’re safe out and about.”
• “Youth work gives me a place to escape and to meet new people. It is a place to be myself.”
• “I never get to see most of my friends because I never go outside. I get to come here and see them in a safe space.”
• “It helps people who get bullied or who self-harm. You can come along and talk to youth workers about things that are going on.”
• “It’s made me more confident and given me a chance to meet others in my local area. It also gave me the chance to do anything I want in life because of the skills and knowledge I gained. As cheesy as it sounds, the project and most importantly you guys have changed my life.”
Across the city our youth workers do such a great job, it would be an absolute disaster to lose them. We must keep this valuable resource.
I was involved in so much in the youth project before I ended up starting a family of my own . The hangleton and knoll project gave me the opportunity to talk on children and need and praise some of the work that it had gave me . I was able feel safe in my community because of the youth work that goes on . I am so grateful for what the youth team have done for me it would be a shame to let that all go and current young people will get to miss out and won’t have that extra suppourt there for them . I have expressed my own what youth work has done for me on social media and displayed some of my own memories . #protectyouthservices . Thank you to all the youth works of hangleton and knoll for all you have done for us so far
It is shortsighted to end a quality service that really delivers.
The aftermath will be that a need will be identified and a service will need to be put in place costing much more than it will to sustain what is there in place.
The Council get value for money in everything that is Hangleton & Knoll Project
I am sure that Schools, Police, Social Services are aware of our value.
It costs £45,000 a year to keep someone in jail, but I have never heard anyone say there’s no money for that…