Cottingley Hall as an area has always had a severe lack of services when it comes to young people which has led to a lot of anti-social behaviour.
As a field, there was a desire to add to the current offering for young people by offering an additional session per week. A desire strongly solicited by volunteer residents who have approached the community center, passionate about local youth and the territory.
Christine, Cottingley’s Community Development Manager, explained:
“Parents approached me and asked what they could do to give young people some focus and how to go about it and almost at the same time Re:establish approached me ready to offer locals the skills and training that helped create their successful youthful disposition at Beeston and Holbeck.
The holistic approach and offer of collaboration was too good an opportunity to pass up and ‘Team Cottingley’ was born through the Friends of Cottingley Community Centre.
Just 6 short months had such an impact on youngsters, seeing a marked and noticeable improvement in antisocial behavior. It was a great example of how teamwork and collaboration with the local community can start an exciting opportunity.
Jo, Founder and Head of Development of Re:establish, said:
“As part of the Leeds Youth Work Alliance South (enhanced youth work contract), we have agreed to look at how we could help extend the offer to young people in Cottingley and I think the basic offer at term is the most sustainable way to create opportunity, build healthy relationships and advocate for change.
“Working with Christine and her team is fundamentally essential. You need to have people who are passionate about their field if you want to see long-term transformative change. I’m excited to see how the team and provision will develop over the next two years.
The young people present said that the presence of the youth team made them feel safer and that they were happy to have other trusted adults to turn to if they needed support.
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