THE multi-activity Mastrick Youth Hub in Aberdeen has been hailed as a great success by all partners involved having been nominated for several awards.
Situated in the car park of Tesco Aberdeen Woodend, the session is run in partnership with the supermarket itself, Denis Law Legacy Trust and its Streetsport programme, Police Scotland, Aberdeen City Council, Developing the Young Workforce and AFC Community Trust.
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The project has been nominated for Aberdeen City Council’s Star Awards; YouthLink Scotland’s Youth Awards and is also a finalist in the Chief Constable’s Excellence Awards, a testament to the work involved and the innovative approach to setting up what’s thought to be Scotland’s first Outdoor Youth Hub.
Like many original Streetsport sessions, it’s in a targeted location to reduce anti-social behaviour among young people in the area, something partners have said has been achieved.
John McOuat, Community Policing Team, said: “The work delivered by the Team involved in delivering the Youth Hub has been second to none. Not least the youth workers, Stuart Neil of Tesco and the young people themselves. The number of reported youth-related anti-social behaviour calls in the immediate vicinity has dropped to almost zero since the Hub has been up and running.”
Key to the success of the Hub has been the relationship between partners and young participants that has grown from strength to strength with each passing week.
Stuart Neil, Store Manager at Tesco Aberdeen Woodend, said: “This project has been something that I’ve personally been very passionate about and it’s been fantastic to see such a remarkable response from all of the kids who enjoy our new space. We wanted to really address the root of the problem with anti-social behaviour and for me, that started with speaking to the youths about what they wanted and trying to see things from their perspective.
“We’ve worked very closely with local police services and the council to get the hub up and running and so far, the feedback from the community has been fantastic. Another key aim of the project is to really support these young people, inviting youth workers to the hub to speak to them as well as invite people to come along to offer training and provide them with new skills, as we understand the importance of having positive role models to help give them the tools they need for everyday life”.
Karen Philip, Employer School Coordinator, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North East, said: “DYW bridges the gap between employers and education to help all young people find fulfilling careers. Two of our Employer School Coordinators, who are linked with schools local to the Hub, are delighted to attended partner meetings.
“They hope to feed into the partnership’s activities by helping them to foster links with local employers, both to support the activity sessions and to raise awareness of work, training and volunteering opportunities for the young people. The Employer School Coordinators also report back into their school networks, so that all those involved in supporting the young people can adopt a joined-up approach.”
Many youth programmes like Streetsport rely heavily on the good work of volunteers and this one is no different. Mastrick Youth Hub welcomes a consistent number each week with well over 150 hours of volunteering being recorded so far and recognition through the Saltire Awards.
Hannah Clews, Streetsport Development Officer at Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “Volunteers are such a huge part of our programme and we’re lucky to have a bank of them that are dedicated to helping young people across the city.
“At the Hub, for example, we’ve had five pupils from Harlaw Academy who organised a Christmas event involving a night of music, hot chocolate, tray bakes and even gingerbread decorating. The amazing mural backdrop was also a volunteer creation and has gained loads of respect in the community.
“One of our longstanding Streetsport volunteers, Jenna, regularly attends the Hub sessions and was recently nominated for Young Volunteer of the Year at this years’ Aberdeen Sports Awards which is great recognition for the hard work that everyone puts in”.
Finding a common theme among young people is often a barrier to conversation or to gaining initial rapport and trust. One thing the Hub has found that brings both young participants and youth workers together is food.
Wilma Smith, Aberdeen City Council Community Learning and Development, said: “They have enjoyed getting involved in making food such as a BBQ, hot chocolate, fudge, noodles, smoothies and more.
“Building on this we have been successful in securing funding from the Trades Widows Funds Charity for cooking sessions at CFine’s Cook at The Nook where they will learn how to make healthy and cheap alternatives to the food and takeaways they love. They’ll be able to socialise with their friends in a safe and welcoming environment and can enjoy the meal they cook with their friends and youth workers”.
The importance of maintaining a presence and growing on relationships made in areas that contain high youth anti-social behaviour is paramount to its future legacy, something John McOuat recognises. He added: “As we move forward Police Scotland continue to be actively involved in the Hub and local officers will look to build positive relationships with those who attend. Many of the young people are reluctant to acknowledge or even speak with officers for a variety of reasons but we’ll be visible at the Hub when we can, taking time to talk and get to know those present which in turn will allow our young people to get to know their local ‘bobbies'”.
