What we do
YOUTH WORK
Our youth work stand is delivered through the Boombox Youth Project based in Weston Super Mare, North Somerset.
The project uses a range of youth work methods and approaches to reach and engage with young people aged 11-17 years living in the South Locality of Weston Super Mare.
Our youth work is funded by a range of funding bodies including the National Lottery Community Fund, the Quartet Community Foundation, Wessex Water and North Somerset Community Fund to deliver a range of youth work activities and experiences for young people aged 11-17 years living in the South Ward area of Weston Super Mare, North Somerset.
The aim of the Boombox Youth Project is to offer young people access to a range of opportunities which will help to build their confidence and self – esteem, to develop life skills and to empower young people to make informed decisions that reduce risk taking behaviour and develop positive decision making abilities.
We are delivering the project using a range of methods including detached work and youth mobile which has been designed with ideas and input from young people.
Our youth work strand was first established in May 2015 through the Grow Your Own Youth Project and in 2017 this morphed into the Boombox Youth Project with a capital grant from the Youth Invest Fund which enabled us to purchase a Peugeot boxer van which was adapted into a mobile youth resource unit with help from young people who were involved in designing the interior of the vehicle.
The mobile is a 5.5.metre, 3.5 ton Peugeot Boxer van with diesel engine and generator, WiFi, 20inch HD Screen, Upholstered seating area for 5 people, work bench space for 4 laptops, 3 windows with metal security covers.
The mobile can accommodate 10 young people and two adults.
It is a flexible space that has a drop awning which increases the potential outdoor usable space by 2 metres x 5.5 metres.
We give ongoing thanks to Hans Price Academy for providing us with long term secure parking space for the Boombox van.
We have a strong and vibrant approach to partnership working and in 2018 teamed up with North Somerset Council’s Better by Bike scheme. We applied for and received funding for the purchase of cycling equipment including an iPad, Go Pro camera’s, cycling accessories and laptop to enable a young people’s led film cycling project which involved young people cycling and Go Pro filming the Brean Down Way and Strawberry line promoting sustainable travel and health benefits
As part of the partnership we facilitated bike fix sessions enabling young people to learn basic bike maintenance and repair. As part of the funding package we were able to hand out free puncture repair kits. We filmed interviews with young people finding out more about whether they own a bike, how often they go cycling and the longest journeys they have made cycling. The filmed interviews are part of the documentation of the Bike Project
Amy Davies our youth worker has started to introduce young people to digital photography and has also been instrumental in compiling our photographs and videos bringing together our Story so Far… In November 2019 the project won the National Modeshift sustainable travel award for excellence in cycling.
During our third year 2019-20 in addition to delivering our regular weekly sessions on the Bournville, Coronation and Oldmixon estates in Weston Super Mare we organised a mountain walking residential to Snowdon. Ten young people took on the challenge of walking up Snowdon and doing a gorge walk.
We organised more bike rides to Brean Down Way and the Strawberry line and lots of trips including Wookey hole, Wild Places, Ice skating, Clip n Climb, Airhop, Weston Pier, Burrington Coombe climbing and abseiling.
We work in partnership with local community organisiations in Weston Super Mare including the South Ward Activities Network, North Somerset Council Family Centres, Local PCSO’s, Schools and Off the Record.
Our youth work approach is lead by our Project Manager who is a professionally qualified JNC Youth and Community Worker with 35 years experience of managing, creating and delivering youth service provision.
Our youth work team welcome young people into a safe and inclusive creative space, we encourage young people to engage in activities that promote well being and help develop social and personal skills. We build responsive and trusting relationships with young people, empowering young people to make informed decisions and providing support enabling young people to overcome barriers and make positive progress in their lives.
Outcomes for young people are increased confidence, self esteem and a greater sense of well being.