The project is not based on an existing piece of work. However, the project is outlined from a model scheme by JRF called Befriending. It was developed by voluntary organisations which is a provider of social interactions and opportunities for the ‘befriended’ to have a sense of being part of a community. Although the the main aim of this programme was to simply meet people and take them out to local pubs or other outdoor activities, the scheme is taken a step further in this project by making the place a hub for the meetings. What I have learned from the scheme by JRF is the consistent meeting for the users which has really impacted the people involved in this programme. Designing a facility that can serve as an accommodation for this scheme is very useful and will benefit the community.
Currently there are ten community centres around the NE9 postcode. However, some of these community centres are closed down and also inactive. Speaking to a local who lives in the area, he stated that there is a need for a new facility that will cater to the needs of local people. Mr White is a tenant of one of the council blocks in Low Fell. He experienced people asking him for places that can accommodate local meetings which also provides a safe environment and a healthy atmosphere. He was not sure where to lead them and stated that ‘there is a need for a venue where our locals can meet beside local pubs or even a place that is well designed that will really bring people closer together’. The council block that he works in is populated with people who are living alone and is ‘in need of activities that will help them get out to the community and will encourage them to also meet other people, therefore there is also a need to have a place to accommodate these activities’.
SUPPORTING EXISTING SERVICES: YOUTH CLUBS AND LIBRARIES
Furthermore, although there are existing centres who can provide activities, they can only accommodate a select amount of people therefore hindering other people who has the same needs to be catered for. So there is a need for this project as it will serve as another venue for young people and old people to meet and be involved. In a way, this project is not to replace existing projects around NE9 but to support them. The Cedar Youth Club in Gateshead can currently accommodate 30 people at the same time including their employees. There is a growing interest in bringing young children to afternoon clubs and currently the youth club is not able to accommodate and the space are no longer compatible and are already being used regularly. At this time there is not enough space to meet the demand and programme requirements. By doing this project a new space will be given for the young people that cannot be accommodated in the existing centres.
Moreover, the need for more space is growing as over the past 2 years, adults attending library-sponsored programmes has increased by 120%, although a very a good and positive thing, this also means there needs to be more facilities around Gateshead that can provide space and accommodation as interest grows even larger.
The project is not only a library or an education centre. It will also offer a space that will be comfortable and inspire community discussions.
The problem that is addressed in this project concerns two groups of people, both the young and old. In some way, the services delivered in this building will help these two groups of people.
The project will deal with the problem of the wide gap of education between those who are excelling and those who face extra challenge. Whilst there is a significant amount of young people excelling in their education results, there are still those who are vulnerable and are at risk of trailing behind. Because of the positive results, the government is changing the way the education system works. This may not affect much of those who are excelling, but those who are with additional needs will struggle even further. There is a need to narrow the space between those excelling and those who have extra needs.
These educational aspects or lack thereof, affects young people in ways that they feel isolated and neglected. However, isolation especially occurs with old people. It is due to their inability to have accessible services. The problem dealt with here is the lack of activity clubs and centres to meet like-minded people. The problem of isolation occurs when older people have reached the time of retirement when they feel empty and unsure what to do. They want to find purpose and find new things to do.
Youth awareness of local history and current issues, encouraging community involvement and motivating aspirations in education and future careers.
A new sense of unity in the community, less isolated people leading to good community relations and better individual wellbeing.
The project involves creating a space where both young people and old people are catered for and are both benefiting.
Firstly, the centre will be a place where young people are encouraged to persevere in reaching their potential and also allowing them to choose their path in terms of their future careers. The centre will allow them to also learn about the historical past of their local area. Knowledge is needed to encourage ones aspirations. The centre will provide a space where people can learn about the history of the area in an exhibition manner. The exhibition will provide an insight of what has occurred in the past. The aim is to educate young people and to hopefully invigorate their desires to progress in their educational paths. The centre will run different workshops where young people can explore their skills as well as gain new skills. The workshops will run 4 times a year for several weeks as an after school club and participants will gain certificates as an evidence of their involvement. These workshops will be held in the education space of the centre. The activities will be very practical and interactive. The education space also has an available library which will include books of historical contents. Computers will also be readily available for use. The space will be an open plan design to allow interaction with users and will encourage communal learning.
Secondly, the centre will also be a central place for people to meet like-minded people. As mentioned the centre will cater not only for young people but also for the older group of people. The centre will be a hub for those who are struggling to find people in the same circumstances. Working alongside the organisations called JRF (Joseph Rowntree Foundation), an independent organisation whose aim is to ‘inspire social change through research, policy and practice’; the centre is to cater to people who has needs in companionship to deter from the feeling of isolation and low wellbeing. The organisation’s scheme is to find volunteers, but in this case workers will be employed; and they are to be matched with a user. Once a match has been made, the programme begins and the hub will be used as a meeting place once a week. As the centre will have different uses including the education space, exhibition space as well as the café; there will be several activities the users and their ‘companions’ can undertake. For some even taking part in looking after the centre will be an option, given that they are fit to volunteer. It could be as simple as working the café or even assisting in the programmes with the young people. These involvements will allow them to feel like they are part of a community and a movement. By working with the JRF, a scheme or a system is already in place and implementing and putting them into practice will be the main goal. The scheme will help people participate in the community through the use of this proposed centre and through here they will create new social links as well as support other people with the same needs.
The main people who will benefit from the project includes first of all locals who will have the opportunity to run the centre. By running the centre and being in charge of its programme, the community surrounding the Angel of the North will gain a sense ownership. They will be involved in maintaining the building and also they will have input on the different programmes that will happen in the centre.
So far in the planning stage, the community has been involved in creating the different space in the centre. A consultation meeting had been held in one of the existing community centre Chowdene Hall in the Low Fell area which is a close proximity in the new proposed site. During this consultation, the user groups were invited, both the young and the old; and they have given feedback on the current plans and plan activities. The consultation gave further improvement in the idea of creating an open plan education space. The response was very positive and the group thought it would be very interactive and will create a positive atmosphere for young people who in contrast are put into rooms during school times. At the early stage of design, the community will be involved by helping during the design stage of the building. A design concept will be given to them and they will be given the chance to respond to this concept and to put their ideas forward which can be considered in the final design.
The centre also serves old people who are facing problem of isolation. As previously mentioned, there will be involvement with the organisation JRF. The aim was to partner a volunteer with a local (old person) who is suffering from isolation. On some cases, not only will the JRF volunteer and their partner use the facilities of the centre, but they will also be given the chance to help run the centre. Given that they want to participate and are able to, they will be encouraged to help with activities prepared for the young people such as preparing tea after school, leading out in the art activities and other after school programmes that will be held in the centre.
The beneficiaries will also be the local youths. They will be involved in producing programme contents such as what will be a content for a specific after school programme. They will have the chance to express their needs and will be invited to management committee meetings together with a parent.
Currently, there is low activity in the community surrounding NE9. By creating this project and setting it up, there will be a renewed sense of unity in the community and energise the community to get hands on with local facilities. Old people who have been inactive in the community will get a chance to once more get involved and also to produce new relationships and networking. There will be less social exclusion because of the activities available for the old people and the opportunities for them to get involved.
Having a new facility will also invigorate the young people to be involved in the community. With the facilities and services that the centre will provide, the young people will also gain new knowledge about the history of the place on which they live in. The difference that this project makes to young people will bring about better relations in doing so they will have improved outlook in life. By also giving them the opportunity to meet other young people besides from their own school, they will have opportunities to learn new things in doing so improving their communication and social skills leading to improved motivations and aspirations.
Firstly, the young people is in need of a place where they can have extra interaction with tutors or other fellow young people. After school clubs are a stress free environment for young people. Attending a place; school, where high expectations and high pressure activities are put together can cause stress for young people. So to attend a place that is a non-pressure facility will help them relieve stress and will also encourage them to put aside shyness and will produce good interaction skills. The centre is the best way to meet the needs of young people to exceed in school as they create an environment that will boost their willingness to study.
Furthermore, the project is the best way to meet the needs of the old people as it is not just a building but the activity produced will benefit them. As mentioned previously, an organised scheme is the best way to meet the needs of the old people as it is systematic and volunteers are accountable to their charge. The old people desires constant companionship and having the constant meetings that will be organised by JRF will ensure the ongoing improvement of the well-being of the old person.