Neighbourhood Studies DVD (West Marsh)

The opportunity for young people to go to film premiere does not come very often, so it was a dream come true for a group of young people living on the West Marsh area to attend their own film Premiere.  Arriving in a stretched Limousine at Whitgift Film Theater on a cold December night the young people took great pride in walking down the red carpet to show parents, friends and representatives of many leading agencies working in the area their film named “Friends In La Marsh”.  The film highlighted how young people view the area they live in, indentifying issues such as the why children and young people do not feel safe in the Duke of York Gardens, Gangs, underage drinking, housing and policing.  The young people hopes that the film can contribute and influence positive change in areas children and young people play and live in.

The group has since decided to stay together as a new community group and have renamed themselves “Young People for Progress” and have started working to make a difference in the West Marsh area on the points they have raised in the film.  Working in partnership with the Integrated Young People’s Support Service and St. Hugh’s Community the Centre the group have developed their own youth provision on a Friday Evening.  “Youth Time” running from St. Hugh’s Community Centre every Friday between 4:30pm to 6:30pm provides children and young people between the ages of 8 to 16 from across West Marsh the opportunity to take part various activities within the centre, whilst working to develop many trips and residential opportunities especially within the school holidays.

The young people would like to thank Pippa Gilbank and Rhoda Hill (North East Lincolnshire Council Participation Team), Andy Merrikin (Integrated Young People’s Service), Bernie Moore (Community Volunteer) and Sandra Mason (St. Hugh’s Community Centre) or their continued support and making opportunities happen. Should you wish to contact the group or get a copy of the film please contact our group representative, Andy Merrikin (Neighbourhood Youth Worker) at Western Young People’s Centre on (01472) 877390 or email andrew.merrikin@nelincs.gov.uk