Page 17 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www. swindonlink.com The Link Magazine • April 2000 17
Surfing could become Link Centre attraction Drugs awareness

After months of behind the scenes negotiations, The Link can exclusively reveal that an Parents were given the chance in early March
internet cafe is being planned for the Link Centre. to meet Nick Bolton from Druglink at a
number of West Swindon venues.
The announcement was made at Action for • re-establishing a youth club at Toothill He dis- . ^^ n
Youth, a new forum in West Swindon set up by community centre played exam-
the Swindon Council community education • re-opening the Link Youth Unit as a central ples of differ-
team and Toothill ward councillors Peter Mall- and neutral place for young people to meet ent drugs and
inson and Dave Cox, which met on 16 March. and gain advice and information
talked about
Involving young people, full-time and ses- • more sporting events and tournaments
sional youth workers, the group aims to dis- • better lighting and repairs to park their effects.
He also de-
cuss activities and developments for teenagers equipment, such as basketball hoops scribed what
in the area. • DJ & break-dance workshops parents might
The internet cafe idea emerged after the Link Community education worker Paul Ryan look out for if
Youth Unit was closed down a year ago and said there were financial restrictions on what they are wor-
discussions have involved Swindon library could be achieved, but the meeting provided a ried children
service and the education department and also focus for future developments. are using ille-
Swindon College. However Katie Dixon, 15, from Freshbrook gal substances.
If successful, the project could start in early expressed scepticism about the exercise.
One parent Nick Bolton with sessional
June. It will offer internet access to all ages, "Young people have heard so many promises
said, "we read youth worker Nicola Ham
with specific times available to young people. in the past about things that could be organ- about the ses-
A wish-list of activities discussed at the meet- ised; we'll just wait and see what happens." sions in The Link. It is a good idea to have this
ing included: Further meetings of Action for Youth are information in the community. We learnt a lot
y
planned, call Paul R an on 465452 for details. about the terms used and the appearance of the
New worker for youth centre drugs in circulation; it's all foreign to us.
Luke Chambers, 30, has been Legal graffiti site "We wanted to find out more and also to
appointed temporary youth Councillor Cox also also announced that plans learn how to handle a situation should it arise."
worker to be based at Green- to provide a legal graffiti site in West Swin- Nick said the majority of young people are
down School youth suite. don are well advanced. not involved in illegal drug use. "It can be hard
He has worked as a sessional "The council is looking at building a wall at for both parents and young people to under-
youth worker in Highworth for Swindon Contractors depot to the south of stand each other if they become involved in
six years and is studying part- the Great Western Way by-pass which is drugs. But it is very important for parents to
time for a diploma in commu- reached by the underpass from Toothill. "Some keep communications open with teenagers."
nity and youth work at the Uni- graffiti is art by talented people, but it can be
versity of the West of England. displayed in the wrong place. A legal site will • Druglink holds parents evenings on the
He has been involved in single-gender work provide a place for them to work. They are first Wednesday of every month between 6pm
and setting up trips to Swindon's twin town different from the vandals who spray paint and 8pm at 47 Victoria Road, Swindon. For
Salzgitter in Germany. their 'tags' on public and private property." more information, call 610133.