NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION STATION PAINTING

Groundwork Wakefield is working in partnership with Wakefield Community Safety Partnership and Wakefield Young People's Services in creating a mural on the Neighbourhood Action Station in Airedale, providing a more welcoming and cheerful environment for the local community.

The initiative is an attempt to engage young people in a positive way regarding their environment. Julia Horbury Neighbourhood Regeneration Officer for Groundwork Wakefield held a series of workshops, with the help of Andy Atkins of Young People's Services, to create the design for the mural.  Community Artist Jo Knowles is working with the young people to transfer their design into an attractive mural on the neighbourhood action station.

Approximately 20 young people have been involved to date. It is hoped that by giving the young people of Airedale the power to make a difference to their environment it will impact positively on community cohesion and give them a greater ownership of the community facility.

Wakefield District Community Safety Partnership has placed the station in the grounds of Airedale High School on Crewe Road. The action station will be used by a number of organisations and agencies providing advice and services on people's doorsteps.

The Neighbourhood Action Station will be used by the Young People's Service, Education Welfare, Environmental Protection and the Fire Service in the first instance, with more organisations set to join soon. 

The mural will be complete by Wednesday 14 June.

Inspector Steve Lavelle from the Five Towns Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "This is an excellent idea which has really given the young people a chance to get involved in a community project. There are services available at the Neighbourhood Action Station for young people and I hope that as many as possible get use out of them."

Andy Atkins, Castleford Senior Neighbourhood Youth Worker said: "The painting project is part of the additional youth work provided through the Community Matters project in Airedale and Ferry Fryston. The project aims to provide more positive engagement with young people, aged 13 -19 years of age and is already proving a great success. Young people love to be included and are committed to making a difference and show that the community matters as much to them as it does to others."   

Cllr Olivia Rowley, Portfolio Member for Community Safety and Cohesion said: "The Neighbourhood Action Stations are a good way of getting services into the heart of local communities. The painting of the stations by the local youngsters gives them ownership and shows how they can get involved in local issues."

Ref: PR869
Date: 09/06/06

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