New youth provision for Clacton Housing estate

Tuesday 20th April 2010

Colne Housing Society and Essex based Estuary Housing Association has started work on a joint project to improve the provision of youth services in and around the Forest Park Avenue and Chantry Close areas of Clacton.

The project came about as a result of a public consultation that took place on the estate, which explored how residents felt about their neighbourhood. The over-whelming feedback was that there wasn’t enough for young people to do in the area.

In light of the response, a partnership was established between the two housing associations and Integrated Youth Services, to develop opportunities for young people living in the area, working with them, listening to their views and helping them decide what they would like to see happening on the estate.

The first step was to employ a Youth Worker, who has teamed up with two members of the Integrated Youth Services Team. Together they will deliver detached youth work on the estate two evenings a week – provisionally Mondays 5.30-8.30pm and Wednesdays 6.00-9.00pm- where there will be access to a Youth Bus.

The new youth worker, Stuart Barber, will also spend time talking to local agencies and establishing partnerships, with a view to improving access to services for young people in and around the area.

Aimed at 13-19 year olds, the provision will initially run for four months, and should it be a success, the aim is to extend it further.

The youth workers will be on the estate on Monday 19th April from 6pm to enable young people to come along and find out what’s on offer.

Posted by Rashmi for Colne Housing Society Ltd.