Page 30 - link magazine

30 The Link Magazine • February 2004
Positive outlook for youth Authorities tackle problems
A project to encourage disaffected young people to integrate with of unruly youngsters in Haydon
their communities is giving them the chance to take part in art Residents living close to the underpass below Westfield Way linking
workshops, outdoor volunteering and sporting activities.
Clary Road and Bayleaf Avenue are continuing to apply pressure on
Positive Activities for •- statutory agencies to solve the problems they experience from gangs
Young People is a three of youths who gather in the underpass, particularly on weekend
year Government pro- evenings causing abuse and vandalism.
gramme to reduce anti- The issue was reviewed at a spe- The letter predicts litter, noise,
social behaviour tru- cial meeting on 6 January attended drunkenness, drug-use, graffiti,
ancy and crime. Locally by parish and local borough coun- damage and misery, and a likely
the project aimed at 8 to cillors, the Police, the Crime and fall in house values.
19 year olds is run by Disorder Unit, the newly estab- Swindon councillor David
the Trident Trust, lished Neighbourhood Safety Reynard vigorously denied that
Connexions, Swindon Team (NEST), highways depart- these are likely outcomes and em-
and Wiltshire County ment, the youth service and trad- phasised that the facility will con-
Councils and the Swin- ing standards. It was agreed that tain a floodlit kickabout area and
don and Wiltshire Youth the police should continue to pa- basketball hoops and only three
Sculpting for positive futures in the Link Centre,
Offending Teams. from left, Chris Cook, Blair Eggerton, Adam Bidwell, trol the site and gather evidence to items of simple skateboarding
Activity Develop- April Boyd, Luke Patterson, James Spellman with establish whether more extreme equipment.
ment Manager Nikki artist Gordon Dickinson of No Added Sugar action is called for. He points out that many of those
Green said organised At the NEST meeting on 12 Janu- who objected to the scheme dur-
activity holiday programmes have art workshops which encourage ary parish councillors and resi- ing the planning process lived out-
a positive effect on reducing the their personal development, group dents vented frustration at what side Haydon Wick and that 93 per
numbers of young people referred activities which make a contribu- they feel is insufficient enforce- cent of parents of pupils attending
to youth offending teams. "The tion to the community, such as ment action. Swindon councillor the school were in favour of the
project aims to divert young peo- woodland coppicing, as well as Ian Dobie confirmed that trading scheme.
ple at risk of social exclusion and fun events like skating at the Link standards will prosecute shop Castigating the opponents of the
committing crime. The participants Centre, the project opens up other keepers and assistants on the first proposal coun Reynard said, "this
have been referred by a number of avenues to develop self respect and offence of supplying alcohol to small number of people are aware
agencies and each is allocated a self confidence, and respect for under 18s. of the facts but refuse to accept
key worker who has a personal others." Meanwhile, people living near them. They are unable to see that
advisor qualification or a youth Two positive activity weeks Haydonleigh School have received an overwhelming number of peo-
work backgrou nd. They work with have taken place in the October an anonymous letter warning of ple across the whole community
the young people to look at the half term and Christmas holidays similar problems if a skate board welcome this development and the
barriers which prevent them Further weeks are being planned facility is included in the planned consultation process was carried
achieving their full potential. for half term breaks and school multi-use games area due to be out in an open, transparent and
y
"B engaging the youngsters in holidays. opened at the school next Autumn. democratic way."

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More Special Constables Needed Now!

n Wanting to do something rewarding with your spare time? OR
• Thinking of joining the police in the future? OR
• Family grown up or early-retired with time to spare?

Come and meet serving Specials at the Brunel Centre, Swindon
Every Saturday in February

We are looking for people with 16 hours to spare a month to take on the Powers of a Constable. You will be provided with full
training to undertake this role. This role is good experience if you wish to join the regular force in the future and will enable you to
see if this is the right career for you.
1
If you are aged 18 / 2 or over then why not find out more!
For more information please telephone Cathy Jones on 01380 734066 (24-hour answerphone) or visit our website.

Acknowledgements to The Brunel Centre for their support