Janine Blythe, Chief Executive of Inspire, will give an update on the first few weeks that the Youth Zone has been open.
Members will have the opportunity to ask any questions they have.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Janine Blythe, Chief Executive of Inspire, who give an update on the first few weeks that the Youth Zone has been open.
Inspire Chorley Youth Zone is part of a Network of similar independent youth organisations that all share the same principles developed by the charity OnSide Youth Zones.
Chorley Council are supporters of the Youth Zone and were instrumental in the facility being built in Chorley. The aims are to support the young people of Chorley and the purpose-built facility, for the borough’s young people aged 8 – 19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities, opened on 5 May.
The Chorley Youth Zone is the first time OnSide have built a facility in a smaller area like Chorley. Usually they are in larger towns, like Blackburn and Wigan.
The sessions are “Junior Zone” aged 8 – 12 and “Senior Zone” aged 12 – 19. Sessions will be adapted for young people with additional needs to enable anyone to access them; including young people with a variety of different needs from mild learning difficulties to more complex needs such as visual impairment and physical disabilities.
Over 15,000 young people aged 8-19 live in Chorley and, eight weeks in, 3,600 young people are members, which has exceeded the annual target for membership numbers. This exceeds the membership numbers at this point for other Youth Zones and proves that there is a need in Chorley for this type of facility.
The town centre location means excellent transport links and neutral ground for the young people. In advance of the opening staff from the Youth Zone visited schools and partners, such as Parish Councils, to raise awareness of the facility and explore barriers for young people.
Young people from Adlington, Croston, Rufford and Lostock Hall have attended sessions. In the next few months staff will analyse attendance and target any pockets of areas with low attendance.
Around 30% of the young people registered have additional needs. Usually the figure is between 10 and 12%. This is a challenge as it is important for all young people to have a fantastic time at the facility. Each young person with addition needs has an orientation visit which lasts about an hour. Not all those registered with additional needs have had their orientation tour, but some additional staffing resources are being facilitated. There are plans to employ an inclusion worker and work is ongoing to access external funding to secure this.
Additional provision for bike storage is being investigated as this is a popular form of transport for senior members. Work is ongoing with public transport providers as young people are finding this mode of transport expensive.
Staff have already been in touch with social services and the Police with safeguarding issues. The Police are in touch, but no issues have been reported. There is a firm and consistent approach to discipline which is proving effective.
Activities have been arranged in relation to the World Cup, Chorley in Bloom and holiday club for the summer break.
A homework room is available – this was requested by young people.
Janine invited Members to visit the Youth Zone to see the facility for themselves. The Chair thanked Janine for her presentation and congratulated her on the achievements of the Youth Zone so far.
Decision: that the update be noted.