Page 20 - link magazine

20 YOUT1111 ISSUES

DUNCAN 'The Yout I 0000900000*9000

SELF DRIVE
Interiors towa rd s
Made to Measure HIRE
Vehicles for Hire Wiltshire County Council Youth Workers Carl Bowen and Jo Marchmen
Curtains c' Accessories at Competitive Rates put some blunt questions about how the community see young people
Huge selection offabrics Vans • Lutons. Estates
Cars• Mini Bus 'Youth' ... what does this word over them. Our relationship with
Free measuring service mean to you? What type of people young people in the area is, therefore,
272 Ermin Street
and free sample loans come to mind - how old arc they, a voluntary one. Through it, we aim
Stratton St. Margaret what do they look like, where are to encourage young people (either
38 Havelock Street Swindon they found and what do they do? in groups or as individuals) to: reflect
Swindon Tel: 822193 Now think of the phrase 'Young upon their own experiences of life;
Telephone: People' and ask yourself the same set explore more fully options and
of questions, the chances are the choices that are open to them; think
Open Daily 9am - 6 pm
(0793) 513701 Sundays 9am - 1pm answers will be very different - about their attitudes and beliefs, and
probably more balanced and more in general, take greater control over
positive. their own lives. Having said this, we
The word 'Youth' is a very must stress that we are definitely not
RON AHRENS
powerful one, but it's also a very about telling young people what to
BUILDER negative one. On the face of it, do or what not to do - for this is not
DECORATOR 'Youth' is just the term for an age the youth work approach.
Specialising in all aspects group, but in reality, we all know it Over the past two years, the Youth
of high quality says a lot more than just this. In Service and the West Swindon Youth
building work today's society, the word 'Youth' (as Resources Committee have
especially decorating, used by the media) is often associated supported and encouraged the
Bouncy such as 'violence', 'attack', 'crime', into a team approach. Bothfull-time
carpentry & plastering. with a string of other negative terms amalgamation of'single worker' posts
Castle Hire 'riot', 'drugs', 'lazy', 'trouble', and part-time workers now generate
All work guaranteed.
No job too small. 12'x12' & 14'x14' 'disturbing', 'threatening' ... in fact a common strategy for their work
the list is endless. It is almost as if this across the area using the 'Youth
Free estimates word has come to stand for all that is Office' in the Link Centre's
Telephone: 692134 • Parties. wrong in our society. Community Suite as a 'Team Base'.
(West Swindon) • Events. Sadly, 'Youth'secms to be coming This acts both as an administrative
© 762955 a very popular word these days in centre and a reliable contact point
West Swindon. People talk about for young people and other agencies.
the 'Youth at the Link', the 'Youth at Although at present we arc basically
Frcshbrook' and the 'Youth of a 'street-work' tcam,wc do recognise
CARTER, GOVIER, READ Toothill', but is this really what we the need for young people to have
mean? The people that we arc so space within buildings and centres,
SOLICITORS quick to label in this way are actually and we arc involved in a limited
just West Swindon's teenagers - an amount of what is termed 'Centre-
age group that is an integral part of based' work.
Contact us for all your legal needs all communities everywhere. 'Drop-in' sessions are run in the
Everyone was young once! Freshbrook Community Centre on
including Sunday afternoons, Monday evenings
house sales & purchases, What is the West Swindon and Friday evenings. This offers
Patchwork Team? ... and what do young people an informal cafe setting
matrimonial matters and criminal law we do? in which to meet, play pool and
At present, the team comprises: 2 socialise with their friends. The
Full Time Youth Workers, 6 Part management of Freshbrook
34 - 35 Commercial Road, Swindon time Workers ( one of whom works Community Centre is very supportive
Tel: 617617 on a voluntary basis) of young people in the area, and over
As Detached/Out-reach workers, the past year, the committee have
we work to the 'brief of taking our 'sat around the table' with young
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
L1?WV WV '?VV LI LILILIL,'LlW',I'I LI V '.1 V w L1LILILILI professional skills out to the many people on a number of occasions to
LI young people who live and socialisc resolve difficulties that may have
Raymond Stansfield in West Swindon areas - or 'Patches'. arisen. This is in complete contrast
Unlike conventional Youth Work to the attitude displayed by the
DECORATOR (which often takes place in Youth Community Centre inToothill,who
Clubs or Centres), much of the work openly refuse to accommodate young
with over 30 years experience. we do, is on the streets, in pubs, people in any way, shape or form!
Community Centres and any other In addition to this facility, our
Craftsman in Paint and Decor public places where young people team operates a Youth Club for the
themsclvcs choose to gather and 14+ group on the Greendown site
SPECIALIST in Paperhanging, Graining, spend time. on Tuesday evenings. This is more
In this field, the concept of'work' of a traditional Youth Club setting,
Marble, and Decorative Effects & Finishes. involves making contact with young which is open to all young people in
people with a view to offering a the area of this age group.
trusting, supportive and educative In July, a third full-time worker,
A
. Telephone: (0793) 874299
A relationship - this being with a trained Richard Williams, will be joining our
IL
A adult who is not perceived by the team. He will be based at the school
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A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A i young people as being in an authority and his priority will be to extend and