feature: Mobile solution for Youth Service
19 November 2007
Haringey Council's Youth Service takes to the streets to make sure they're connecting with young people in the borough.
The service has a ‘detached and outreach’ team who get out and about rather than being based in a youth centre. They use two buses which are kitted out to provide a mobile solution to connecting with the young people. Javeeda Gill, who heads the team, said:
“We have one bus which has a computer and a DVD, as well as information about important issues like careers, further education, healthy living and tackling drug or alcohol problems.
“In partnership with the NDC – the Seven Sisters New Deal for Communities – there is a bigger bus which acts like a mobile youth centre. It has six computers, games consoles, a music studio and a lounge area.
“The lounge area can be used both to chat to young people but also for them to meet and chat. We also run DVDs on key issues, like gangs and drugs misuse and then have a discussion with the young people to address particular problems.
“Sometimes young people don’t want to go to a youth centre or a neighbouring area. The buses are a great way of reaching them.”
The team is also on hand to go to ‘hot spot’ areas in the borough where gangs are congregating and taking part in anti-social behaviour.
“When an area has been identified, we take time to look at the issues in the area, talk to colleagues in the neighbourhood management and safer neighbourhoods teams as well as local schools.
“We then talk to the local young people and come up with a project which they’re interested in and which will give them something to do.
“Sometimes there can also be issues straight after schools with school children hanging around. As part of our team’s outreach work, we’re on hand to tell them where there are events and activities which will be of interest to them.”
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