|
Leeds
Community School is an organisation that is actively involved
in projects that encourage community cohesion.
The Youth Support Service helps young people in the Beeston and
Holbeck area of the city make the most of education, training
and employment opportunities available on their doorstep.
Two drop-in sessions a week are held for young men, giving them
the opportunity to socialise through pool, table football, arts
and crafts, board games and video games. But they can also seek
advice about employment prospects and training opportunities through
one-to-one support work.
Many of the lads take part in weekly football sessions at South
Leeds Stadium. Three teams have been set up, who play in a mini-league
to encourage community cohesion between the different cultures
in the area.
Outdoor Pursuits
Young women also attend weekly drop-in sessions at the same youth
centre, although on a different night. Their programme includes
outdoor pursuits, healthy eating, beauty therapy and sports.
An important element of the work is for Asha Khan to carry out
home visits and build links with the parents in order to emphasise
the importance of education, training and sport.
Youth workers from the community support the young people in a
culturally sensitive manner. Through the Youth Support Service,
the young people learn communication and social skills. They also
break down the barriers that arise from a lack of understanding
of different cultures.
Leeds Community School works in partnership with other agencies
in the area, such as Connexions, to ensure young people have a
wide range of activities available to them and provision is not
doubled up.
Through outreach work at the local schools, young people are given
an enthusiasm to learn. To this end, extra tuition has been set
up outside of school to boost the attainment levels of young people
in the area.
The Youth Support Service helps to release the full potential
of every young person that it works with.
Case Study
Vaneeta,
15, felt she was struggling with her information technology skills
at school and needed support to prepare her for exams. She was
also concerned with the lack of provision for girls in the Beeston/Holbeck
area.
Getting involved with Leeds Community School gave Vaneeta the
opportunity to brush up the skills required to succeed in school
and interact with young people her own age.
Joining the youth club has encouraged Vaneeta to change her lifestyle.
She has developed more friendships and learned about different
cultures and how to mix with people from different backgrounds.
Vaneeta said: "I have become a lot more friendlier and outgoing
since joining the youth club. It is a place to go so that I don't
feel bored. I have definitely gained more friends. I enjoy the
laid-back atmosphere of the youth club. It is a nice place to
chill out and learning something new."
|
