Young people in Burngreave are being given the chance to shine thanks to a brand new project aimed just at them.
The Streetwork Project, set up by Sheffield Futures and Connexions in partnership with Burngreave New Deal for Communities (BNDfC), aims to bring together service provision for 11-19 year olds in the area.
Getting young people involved from the beginning is vital as they will play a key role in saying what changes they want to see and where they feel there are gaps in services.
Zain Abdulla, project manager, said: "We want local young people to be part of the decision making and organise how the programme will develop. We need them to tell us what they want to do and how. This way there will be a greater degree of ownership of the project for them rather than us enforcing activities or events that they might not want to do!
As Zain explains, the project, when fully up and running, will offer a range of activities. "We are not just talking about going ten-pin bowling or playing football. There are a whole host of things we want to provide including developing the physical, psychological and spiritual side of young people.
“This could include taking part in sporting activities for health and fitness or just for pure fun and we could organise a monthly trip away but there will also be an educational element as well. We will be going out on the street to work with young people where we find them – in the shelter in Abbeyfield Park for example,” says Zain.
An important part of Zain's work at the moment is linking up with other voluntary and statutory organisations who deliver services to young people in Burngreave. Partnership working will be vital as Streetwork could provide training or financial help or general support to other projects to help them deliver their services.
Adds Zain: “At the moment I am working on my own but when we have developed the programme strategy, we will be employing youth workers to deliver the projects. Hopefully, these will be from within the Burngreave community too providing job opportunities for local people.”
There will soon be an information point on the Burngreave Streetwork Project at the BNDfC Information Shop on Spital Hill and it is hoped that drop-in sessions can be held there in the future.
Anyone who wants to get in touch with Zain can do so:
Telephone: (0114) 272 3628
Email: zain.abdulla@sheffieldfutures.org.uk.
He is based at 204 Verdon Street, Sheffield, S3 9QS.