What Highfield Community Association does well is building trusted relationships with its community, reckons youth co-ordinator Diane Law.
The association is based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and many of the young people who go there are facing up to the challenge presented by the cultural and generational differences of a second or third generation immigrant family adapting to today’s society.
“We always have to think of our young people’s needs,” Diane says. “We know that there is definitely a demand in the area for our activities, and what we do fills a huge gap.”
In the last year over 300 young people between 11 and 13 have come through their doors.
She adds: “We know that the younger children (five -14) love coming to us for the Play Rangers Project, which is one of our longest-running projects.
“It runs after school and during holidays and helps children play, express, build skills, and stay away from petty crime and vandalism.
“It’s because we have a trusted relationship in the community that we are able to bring the older children through to the Excel Youth Project, for the 14 and overs. This provides fun activities, somewhere they feel safe and can learn new skills, as well as get support with education and employment.
“They all love cooking, and we have a kitchen here where they can make themselves a little snack or learn how to cook for themselves when they go home. We’ve also done archery, pinhole photography, henna and makeup, and young leadership.
“In everything we do such as craft and games we aim to give them positive influences which will help them improve their lives and move away from drugs, anti-social behaviour, and become independent positive individuals.
“We also believe that young people should have a voice and influence, so actively encourage them to take a lead in the design of the programme of activities.”
Finding funding is ”almost like a fulltime job” and this, Diane says, is what makes the NYA Census important.
“The National Youth Work Census is important because it helps us to show that there is a need for our services.
“The value of youth work and its impact isn’t always recognised like teaching – you can know the gaps and needs, but not always demonstrate them.
“Play Rangers has been funded by BBC Children In Need, and the Excel Youth Project has been funded by The National Lottery Reaching Communities, so I’m now working on getting them both renewed.
“For me one of the greatest rewards is when I see young people growing up through the programmes, and even going on to become volunteers. Highfield now has four such volunteers, one of whom now has a work placement with the club.”
