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Community Space Challenge is about young people (aged 8 to 17) taking on run down and forgotten spaces and changing them into fresh green places for everyone to use and enjoy.
It’s happening in 70 areas of the country and focuses on involving young people growing up in tough situations in learning about the environment, growing fresh food, creating sensory and wildlife community gardens, and linking them into their communities.
By the end of year five 12,500 young people will have been involved in transforming their neighbourhoods, giving up over 120,000 hours of their time - that's the equivalent of nearly 14 years.
Nearly 3000 young people have gained accredited awards that recognise their new skills and improve their chances of getting jobs or further training and over 2,000 are now back into education, training, volunteering or on into work as a result of their involvement. More than 75% of those who had been in trouble with the police are getting into trouble less – or not at all.
Community Space Challenge is not a one-day makeover or quick fix - it’s a five year commitment. Thanks to over £8 million funding by the Big Lottery it will continue until September 2012. It is managed and led by young people’s charity Catch22 and delivered in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, the Prince’s Trust, Changemakers and the Youth Justice Board.
We‘re seeing Community Space Challenge make a lasting difference:
- helping young people understand and have a greater role in their local environment and their communities
- helping to reduce anti social behaviour and crime
- offering new educational, volunteering and employment opportunities for the young people involved
- increasing the young people’s skills and confidence
- helping young people understand about healthy eating
- helping to build strong communities and engaging different generations
- By making the community safer and greener
Read the Community Space Challenge story so far... |
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“It’s terrific, the whole community is involved. They are putting their fingerprint on the area and will be able to look at it in the future with pride and say; ‘I did that’. (Sheila Fairfield from the Four Squares Tenants and Residents Association).
"It's fantastic, absolutely fantastic. I look out of my office window and say ohhhh. I'm so impressed by the young people; they have been focussed, followed instructions and are proper interested. They want to see the end result and tell people what they have done." (Faye King, Bethwin Adventure Playground Centre Manager).
"These young people have proven time and time again, that if given the chance and the trust and a sense of ownership they are able to achieve brilliant things". (Simon, Community Action Officer, Avon Wildlife Trust).
"It's been an inspiration to meet the young people who are so passionate about preserving the environment. The community looks much nicer and cleaner because the young people have also done some litter picking sessions. I use the seating area now beacause it's nice to sit their when it's sunny." (Mr. Tikka, local resident, Peterborough). |
