Agenda item

To receive an update on youth work and activities in the Stonehenge Community Area.  

Cllr Verbinnen, as the Area Board lead member for youth, gave an update to the meeting. There had been no youth grants applications and there was very little funding left in the young people grant budget.

He thanked all the youth organisations who helped young people in the area and stated he had attended many events funded by the Area Board.

An organisation called Wiltshire Youth For Christ (YFC), had run some pop up youth events in the Stonehenge area, funded by the Area Board. At Cllr Verbinnen’s invitation, representatives of the group gave an update on the events and their work.

Fergus Stewart and Steve Dewar of Wiltshire YFC explained that about a year ago they had been approached by Wiltshire Council, Durrington Town Council and Shrewton Parish Council to run some pop up youth events in Durrington and Shrewton. YFC have a pop up youth café van, so they can deploy almost anywhere and serve hot drinks and snacks. The van also had video consoles and games equipment. Four pop up events were held on Durrington Rec which had been well attended and received, with upwards of about 50 people attending over the course of an event. Two pop up events were held on Shrewton Recwhich had also been well received if less well attended. They had been joined by partner organisations for some events, with the Wiltshire outdoor learning team providing activities like a climbing wall, axe throwing and archery. Jolly Jumpers had also provided a Zorb racing run. All of which were very popular. There had been great support from the local community and from the police and the events were very rewarding experiences.

Since the events there had been some reflection, as although the events had been very popular with families, this could mean that young people and teenagers would stay away, and it was this age group, particularly those that may not be engaging, that the team wanted to focus on.

Therefore, two much lower key pop up youth events had been held in Larkhill. There had been lower numbers in attendance, but it worked well and helped to engage the target audience. They were planning to go back to Larkhill three times in the next few months, and also to Durrington in May.

The representatives had one key message, which was that they hoped that these events would lead to local and sustainable provision for young people. Teenage provision across the county was felt to be patchy and it was hoped they could be a catalyst to making changes. Durrington now had some ongoing youth provision which was really welcomed. There had also been good support from local churches. They were trying to encourage local volunteers to make things work for young people, especially the marginal ones.   

Area Board Members thanked the representatives, highlighting that the organisation was a great asset. Durrington Town Council had taken on board what had been said, and had relaunched a youth facility and were going to run a series of events. It was also noted that Durrington Rec was a great resource.

Other Members noted that the Area Board could also be a catalyst. It had been Cllr Verbinnen’s idea to hold a youth fair, which had brought together all the local youth organisations with each other, and with families and young people. This had been a boost to them all and had been seen as a good case study to pass to other area boards.

Carolyn Taylor, Wiltshire Council Resident Engagement Officer, who was in attendance, wanted to speak to YFC as in housing they sometimes struggled to get youth interaction. It was agreed they could pick this up outside the meeting.

Cllr Verbinnen thanked YFC for their work.