Youth empowerment and social cohesion are the aims of Community Youth Project in Newport, which has become the first organisation in Wales to join Levelling the Playing Field as a local delivery partner.
Run by Zenia Hamid and Sarah Miller, the project is based in Community House in the culturally diverse community of Maindee. Having started in 2012, it is now on to its third round of funding from BBC Children in Need and is also funded by the Gwent Police Crime Commissioner.
With three mosques in the area and a sizeable Gypsy Roma community, much of the project’s activity focuses on breaking down barriers between young people from different backgrounds and fostering a sense of belonging.
It’s also about simply offering a safe haven, especially in these times of such fear and uncertainty.
“We can sometimes underestimate how much feeling safe can mean to a young person,” says Zenia. “We want to be like a ‘second house’ for them, so they know they have somewhere to go when they need help.”
Run by Zenia Hamid and Sarah Miller, the project is based in Community House in the culturally diverse community of Maindee. Having started in 2012, it is now on to its third round of funding from BBC Children in Need and is also funded by the Gwent Police Crime Commissioner.
With three mosques in the area and a sizeable Gypsy Roma community, much of the project’s activity focuses on breaking down barriers between young people from different backgrounds and fostering a sense of belonging.
It’s also about simply offering a safe haven, especially in these times of such fear and uncertainty.
“We can sometimes underestimate how much feeling safe can mean to a young person,” says Zenia. “We want to be like a ‘second house’ for them, so they know they have somewhere to go when they need help.”
The issues faced by children in the area are similar to many in under-privileged communities across the UK – anti-social behaviour, child exploitation, racism, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and lack of opportunities, aspirations and positive role models.
Community Youth Project has several programmes designed to provide diversion and relief from these perils.
Word On The Street is a partnership with Newport Mind that sees youth workers hit the streets and have up-front conversations with young people about mental health and wellbeing.
Piece by Piece supports young people and their families who have experienced recent trauma, especially those from ethnic minorities and those from LGBTQ+ backgrounds who have faced barriers when accessing mental health services.
The project also achieves impact through detached youth work out in the community, putting on sports activities, offering one-to-one emotional support and signposting to follow-up services.
At Community House, there is a ‘play project’ for 6-10-year-olds, drop-in youth club sessions for 11-25-year-olds, a girls’ project and an LGBTQ+ group. Combined attendance (pre-Covid) was up to around 90 children per week.
Sport is used purely as a method of engagement, especially more inclusive activities dodgeball, tug of war, tag rugby, frisbee, parachute games and problem solving. Prior to Covid, regular trips were a fantastic opportunity for participants, many of whom rarely leave their local area.
Community Youth Project has several programmes designed to provide diversion and relief from these perils.
Word On The Street is a partnership with Newport Mind that sees youth workers hit the streets and have up-front conversations with young people about mental health and wellbeing.
Piece by Piece supports young people and their families who have experienced recent trauma, especially those from ethnic minorities and those from LGBTQ+ backgrounds who have faced barriers when accessing mental health services.
The project also achieves impact through detached youth work out in the community, putting on sports activities, offering one-to-one emotional support and signposting to follow-up services.
At Community House, there is a ‘play project’ for 6-10-year-olds, drop-in youth club sessions for 11-25-year-olds, a girls’ project and an LGBTQ+ group. Combined attendance (pre-Covid) was up to around 90 children per week.
Sport is used purely as a method of engagement, especially more inclusive activities dodgeball, tug of war, tag rugby, frisbee, parachute games and problem solving. Prior to Covid, regular trips were a fantastic opportunity for participants, many of whom rarely leave their local area.
During the pandemic, staff have built a music studio (funded by the Gwent OPCC) and are looking forward to inviting young people to use their creative skills in it when restrictions allow. “Our young people are really talented in so many different ways,” says Sarah. “We are always looking for ways to encourage their ambitions and get into healthy activities and behaviours.”
Integrating and engaging the nearby Gypsy Roma community is something into which Zenia and Sarah have put a lot of commitment. “They tend to be segregated and marginalised around here and we used to have quite limited engagement with them,” says Sarah.
“However, last year through the pandemic, when a lot of people were struggling for food after losing jobs, their community started to reach out to us. We were able to help and the mistrust started to disappear. When restrictions allowed, we did play sessions in the local park and had 50 or 60 young people in one night.”
Zenia added: “Our project is so diverse so for us a big goal is simply getting young people to accept and respect the differences between each other. There just aren’t a lot of opportunities for these communities to mix with one another. They are very separate.
“If, because of our sessions, a young Roma person accepts a British Pakistani, that’s massive. We are always trying to celebrate difference as well as emphasise similarities between the cultures.”
Integrating and engaging the nearby Gypsy Roma community is something into which Zenia and Sarah have put a lot of commitment. “They tend to be segregated and marginalised around here and we used to have quite limited engagement with them,” says Sarah.
“However, last year through the pandemic, when a lot of people were struggling for food after losing jobs, their community started to reach out to us. We were able to help and the mistrust started to disappear. When restrictions allowed, we did play sessions in the local park and had 50 or 60 young people in one night.”
Zenia added: “Our project is so diverse so for us a big goal is simply getting young people to accept and respect the differences between each other. There just aren’t a lot of opportunities for these communities to mix with one another. They are very separate.
“If, because of our sessions, a young Roma person accepts a British Pakistani, that’s massive. We are always trying to celebrate difference as well as emphasise similarities between the cultures.”
There is no better evidence of the project’s success in instilling a sense of belonging and purpose than when a participant decides they want to become a volunteer.
“That’s our ultimate aim with every young person; that they gain so much from the project and the community investing in them, that they want to give back,” says Zenia. “That could be by fundraising, volunteering, putting on sessions... Some have gone full circle from not wanting to engage, engaging, getting a lot out of it and then in turn wanting to give back.”
Community Youth Project has around 30 youth leaders, most of whom are former participants. Some have been gained their Level 2 Youth Work qualification. Having local, familiar, relatable young people leading activities helps hugely with engagement and trust, which encourages more participants to seek emotional support.
“Bringing young people together is so important,” says Sarah. “We want to break down the many barriers that exist between different communities in this area. Then on an individual basis it’s about empowerment, supporting them to overcome challenges, grow in confidence and reach their full potential.”
Justin Coleman, Chief Operations Officer for the Alliance of Sport (who manage Levelling the Playing Field), commented: “We are delighted to welcome Community Youth Project on board as our first Local Delivery Partner in the Gwent region.
“Engagement and community cohesion is a huge factor in diverting children from the temptations of crime and gangs. The project is a shining example of the progress that can be achieved by bringing young people together.”
Follow Community Youth Project on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
“That’s our ultimate aim with every young person; that they gain so much from the project and the community investing in them, that they want to give back,” says Zenia. “That could be by fundraising, volunteering, putting on sessions... Some have gone full circle from not wanting to engage, engaging, getting a lot out of it and then in turn wanting to give back.”
Community Youth Project has around 30 youth leaders, most of whom are former participants. Some have been gained their Level 2 Youth Work qualification. Having local, familiar, relatable young people leading activities helps hugely with engagement and trust, which encourages more participants to seek emotional support.
“Bringing young people together is so important,” says Sarah. “We want to break down the many barriers that exist between different communities in this area. Then on an individual basis it’s about empowerment, supporting them to overcome challenges, grow in confidence and reach their full potential.”
Justin Coleman, Chief Operations Officer for the Alliance of Sport (who manage Levelling the Playing Field), commented: “We are delighted to welcome Community Youth Project on board as our first Local Delivery Partner in the Gwent region.
“Engagement and community cohesion is a huge factor in diverting children from the temptations of crime and gangs. The project is a shining example of the progress that can be achieved by bringing young people together.”
Follow Community Youth Project on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.