IMPROVING YOUNG LIVES
IN OUTWOOD AND STANLEY
28 FEBRUARY 2006
From the WMDC Press and Communications Office
Seventeen-year-old
Natalie Lo is part of a band of dedicated locals putting something back into
her community.
For
five years, she has been a volunteer worker at a youth club in Stanley.
She
now spends part of her weekend supporting the session for children with
special needs.
She
said: "I really enjoy it. I've grown up with a lot of the young people
and get on very well with them. It's important that they get out of the
house and have somewhere to go."
Outwood
and Stanley have been targeted by the police and Wakefield Council's
Anti-Social Behaviour Unit recently after concerns about vandalism, groups
gathering and drug dealing.
Liz
Woodward, Senior Neighbourhood Youth Worker For Stanley, Outwood and
Wrenthorpe, said: "Like any other area, it has its problems. But
because it is a leafy suburb, which includes affluent homes and some
estates, its respectable appearance belies some of the difficulties. Most
young people in this area are law-abiding. It's only a small minority that
have been causing problems. There are many others who play a crucial role
supporting their community."
Wakefield
Council's Young People's Service helps channel children and young people's
energies into positive activities.
Mrs
Woodward manages the local youth club for 11 to 19 year olds from Cross Keys
Young People's Centre, Lake Lock Road, Stanley, which attracts an average
attendance rate of 190 a week.
Activities
include arts and crafts, music, digital photography, cooking, IT, pool and
health information sessions, and trips out.
It
operates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings between 6pm to 8.30pm,
Saturdays from 1.30pm to 4pm, and Thursdays, between 6pm and 9pm, are for
Duke of Edinburgh award applicants. Record numbers of young people passed it
recently with 12 achieving gold awards.
Mrs
Woodward said: "We provide fun and educational activities, which many
young people get involved in running, to tackle the risk of boredom and to
prevent anti-social behaviour."
She
also drives a mobile van to Outwood Park, to work with more at-risk 13 to 19
year olds, some of whom who are not in education, work or training. It
attracts around 30 young people each week.
Health
information and referrals to other agencies are provided alongside games,
including football, and a cup of tea.
In
the last three months, 83 different young people have accessed the service
on Monday and Thursday afternoons. It recently started on Fridays.
She
added: "Young people have been gathering for years on street corners.
But in the past everyone knew one another and would tick off anyone
misbehaving or tell their parents. There's not the same respect these days.
We are challenging that attitude because, as a community, we are all
responsible for our young people."
Councillor
Peter Loosemore, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and
Neighbourhoods, Wakefield Council, said: "The commitment shown by
residents within this community is invaluable and deserves
recognition."
Wakefield
District Community Safety Partnership, which includes the council, the
police and other agencies, is supporting the government's Respect agenda. It
encourages communities to work together to build respect and to prevent and
tackle anti-social behaviour effectively.
To
report anti-social behaviour telephone the It's Your Call: hotline 0845 8
506 506.
Ref:
PR728
Date: 28/02/06
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