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Cartoon from The Link No. 36
December 1983 by Rod Grant,
West Swindon Youth Worker
1983-1985

Trendsetting Toddlers Teach Teenagers
by Tony Hillier, Community Activities Officer at the link Centre

Look Who's Talking only meagre finding and a large better for plans to be made and
Admittedly I am a recent newcomer band of adults giving freely of their actions to be taken to build up
to the area - moving to Swindon time and skills, the many children sufficient appropriate provision for
some 6 months ago and taking up aged under five who live in West West Swindon teenagers.
my job at the Link Centre. Swindon are fortunate to be
However, I am a qualified Youth provided with a variety of The Sky is the Limit
Worker and have several years' opportunities for their care and What can be done? What is possible
experience of working in the Youth personal growth into early is only bounded by the limits of the
Service in Hemel Hempstead childhood. commitment of the community to
(running a caravan and landrover There is no national or local enhancing the quality of life of its
mobile detached project) and in government legislation which says many teenagers. If we can do it for
Wandsworth in a large purpose built that this must happen. It is just that the toddlers then we can do it for
Youth Club on the Bnehampton the West Swindon community is the teenager. Careful thought and
Estate and in a Youth Equal sufficiently motivated to do it. meaningful consultation with young
Opportunities Resource Centre. Organisations such as, Wiltshire people must first take place in order young people with a variety of
County Council, Thamesdown to have a chance of guaranteeing resources. These are organised as a
Toddlers have the Template Borough Council, the Churches, that what is on offer is attractive and partnership between local authority
In writing about teenagers I must the Pre-School Playgroup Assoc- relevant to their needs. and voluntary organ-isations backed
begin with the Under Fives. With iation etc. and private industry have up by teams of workers and
been prepared to give their support Talk On! supported by private industry.
to this work. Progress on the issue can be brought It is generally accepted that a
HONEY, RAISIN
about by maintaining the dialogue combination ofpurpose built youth
& ALMOND TRIFLE A Vacuum Ripe for Filling amongst ourselves in private and in buildings, shared buildings,
Upon initial investigation of youth public until we can muster the information and counselling
PART OF THE DELICIOUS resources in West Swindon it appears organisation and resources to make services, detached and issue based
GREENFRIENDS to me that whilst acknowledging the necessary provision. projects are all needed. These are
the good work that is currently all geared towards the informal social
WEIGHT LOSS being done, if we consider the Adults are the Key and political education of young
PROGRAMME current and predicted numbers of The key to it all will be those people. From this firm base local
teenagers a growing gap is emerging individuals from within the initiatives are developed. A local
Approved Diet follows
between what is needed and the community who put themselves committee of adults and young
N.A.CNE. Guidelines for
breadth and quantity of what is forward to work with and spend people is usually formed to speak
healthy safe weight loss provided. time with young people on a regular out on needs and' distribute
There has been much in the local and committed basis. These may resources.
FOR MORE DETAILS,
press over recent months and many work voluntarily or be paid and may
CALL
meetings have been held at which be full or part time. Chip In
VIVIENNE OR JAN
'the teenager' has been a major Two things are crucial: there Where will the money come from?
ON 874316/870164 topic. The time has never been must be enough of them and they We will all as individuals, local
must be appropriately supported businesses, local authorities and
(-ORANGE FARM Haydon End Lane and trained to do the job. It's not other institutions and voluntary
everybody's cup oftea to work with organisations have to chip in with
HURBENUES Entrance of Lady Lane and teenagers but it is both challenging money, time, energy expertise,
Westfield Way, Haydon Wick
Y©1M WOCK Tel: Swindon 721221 and fun provided that workers are experience and commitment so that
not thrown in at the deep end and we can at least echo the excellent
VISIT YOUR LOCAL left to sink. work done for under Fives.
GARDEN CENTRE OPEN DAILY
To those readers even slightly
THIS WEEKEND tempted to give it a try I would say Ostrich or Opportunity?
• Trees Shrubs
'throw your hat in the ring and Teenagers are not the issue. The
• Alpines' Heathers catch up on the latest fashions and issue is, 'What is our reaction to
• Conifers • Roses jokes and enjoy the vitality, freshness there now being so many teenagers
• Herbaceous Perennials and imagination of the adolescent.' living in West Swindon?' Now is
• Bedding Plants, Geraniums the time to chose. We can take the
Others do it so why not West ostrich approach or seize the
& Fuschias. Hanging Baskets
Swindon? opportunity to demonstrate that
• Rockery and walling stone • Discounts on all composts
Other towns of similar make up to we care as much about our teenagers
PURCHASE OR EXCHANGL YOUR HIA GIFT TOKEN WITH US West Swindon do provide fbr their as we do for our toddlers.