12 May Barking and Dagenham set to open Londons first Youth Zone
Introduction
I have decided to enter the BJTC Awards, specifically in the ‘Radio News Item’ category. The awards are free to enter, and there is only one requirement when entering this award: students entering must be studying on a BJTC accredited course. For this category, it was agreed that I was to produce a radio package, accompanied by a 400-500 word article based on a new Youth Zone that is opening up in Barking and Dagenham. I have produced a 473-word article, as well as a radio package, which looks into the new facility, and how it will benefit the younger generation.
Barking and Dagenham set to open Londons first Youth Zone
London’s newest Youth Zone in Barking and Dagenham is expected to welcome 3,000 members in its first year, reports Leanne Cresswell.
In a time where public services are facing reductions, London is set to open its very first youth zone on May 18.
The £6.5 million building located in Parsloes Park, Dagenham, is the first project in the capital for Onside Youth Zones, a charity that provides a safe place for young people to visit after school, and during their leisure time.
According to the 2017 Office of National Statistics data, the London borough of Barking and Dagenham has a population of 57,535 children under the age of 15, amounting to 27% of the population.
The Onside Youth Zone, Future, named by the young people that live in the borough, will support youths aged 8-19-years-old, and up to 25-years-old for those living with a disability.
Workers behind the center hope that Future will reduce the number of young people that become involved with crime.
Future’s Senior Manager, Gershom Clarke said: “Our main purpose for Future Youth Zone is three things: giving young people somewhere to go, giving young people something to do, and most importantly, giving young people someone to talk to.
“I know that it will benefit the younger generation firstly because we are available. Our offer is 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That’s showing a level of consistency in terms of what we are providing for young people. I think young people lack consistency in the services provided for them.”
The facility will offer workshops in sports, drama, dance, cooking, photography, radio, music, martial arts, and skateboarding – to name a few.
It is also home to an indoor climbing wall, an outdoor 3G football pitch, and a fully equipped gym.
Barking and Dagenham Council Leader Cllr Darren Rodwell said: “As a Council, we are investing in different charitable organisations that work with young people. The Youth Zone is a fantastic model that has been exceedingly successful in the North of England, and in fact, it has been known to reduce anti-social behavior in its location.”
He went on to say: “When we first saw this, we saw the benefits. This is a place that will be open when school isn’t. I’m really proud of the fact that we can say to our young people that we believe in them and their future. We want to show our young people that we can invest the best in them and this center gives them the ability to be who they want to be. It will also provide its members with a healthy meal, at the cost of £1.”
With memberships costing only £5 for the year, and a 50p charge per visit, the future certainly looks bright for the capitals first youth zone.
For more information and to become a member, click here.
