Minutes:
Community & NCIL Updates: Written updates were circulated prior to the meeting and are also available in hard copy.
- Several organisations funded by NCIL attended to provide an update – James Ross Hunter Youth Support [JRHYS], Friends of Sydenham Library and SEE3. All projects are doing well and thanked the Council for the funding.
- Community Updates were provided in person by the following organisations: Bell Green Neighbourhood Forum, Helping Hands Food Project and Spontaneous Productions
James Ross Hunter Youth Support
Funded by NCIL to develop projects for young people and families in local communities, the ‘Sip & Talk’ project. The aim is to encourage positive social values in youths and our community, challenging isolation implementing wellness and growth within the community. This project offers the opportunity for parents / guardians and young people to talk and get support about their wellbeing and any issues they are currently facing in the family.
Collet is also working in partnership with the local police station and took a group of young people to talk to police officers and trainees about talk about stop & search and do some role playing which involved; going though the process of being arrested, being held in a cell for 1 hour and followed by a discussion about relationships with the police and how they could be more approachable when dealing with young people so they feel less threatened. The visit went very well, and the young people enjoyed the experience, and it was useful for them to see how a police station operates.
Some of the young people have made a video which has been uploaded onto You Tube and a youth forum is in the developmental stages. It’s also a platform for young people to share their experiences, wellbeing and to adopt positive attitudes when dealing with their everyday lives and issues that they encounter. Additionally, it helps to look at strategies to reduce negative and / or criminal behaviour.
Work has also started
with schools and year 6 pupils to help them develop new patterns
and be able to be more confident and adopt a positive
identity.
Attendees were provided with a leaflet and invited to visit the project to meet participants and see the activities taking places and to take part in the Sip & Talk sessions.
Friends of Sydenham Community Library
For further information see the community update
NCIL funding has supported the library in being able to bring in more people for more activities, have set up a children’s Rhyme Time group, 20-24 adults and their children attending– parents have set up a WhatsApp group to stay in touch with each other.
Also, an adult’s craft group for 12-15 people, 3 programmes are run across the year focussing on a different craft, they are good for interacting with other people and for health and wellbeing.
Children’s Art project has recently started and is well attended. The library is more than a library and is a community hub.
SEE3 update
Working very closely with the library to increase the opening times and complete the repairs as it’s important to have an attractive environment. Cllr Best has emailed the Head of Libraries to request a meeting to discuss the outstanding repairs/opening hours – aim to provide an update the next meeting.
Thank you to everyone who supported and helped and to those who attended the coronation tea party which was a great success.
If anyone has any feedback about a future event or want to get involved in the Fun Palace please get in touch.