The Street Outreach Bus Project - operational now into its second year, was established in partnership with the local community police office and regularly interacts with over 50 "at risk" young people a week. It has contributed to an average 15% drop in anti-social youth incident statistics over a year in the project area and is engaging young people in informal life education that other agencies are struggling to reach. We are being approached by a number of agencies both locally and across Scotland for insight into this form of delivering youth-work with ‘at risk' teenagers.
"Blue Horizon adds significant value to the partnership effort to create safer communities in Aberdeen. Grampian Police is delighted to be involved in this successful project"
Colin McKerracher, Chief Constable, Grampian Police
A number of off site activities have grown out of the contact and relationship we have with the young people, particularly those most “at risk”. These include
• Badminton and trampolining for girls struggling with low self esteem/body image issues.
• Theatre trip
•Orienteering as new experiences
• Fair Trade Fashion Show for creative expression, world awareness and self esteem. (see below)
• 10 day Summer “Catalyst” Week for 15-20 youngsters of special activity and trips including shark diving, sand surfing, visits to historic Scottish sites, mountain biking and animal safari.
A total of 40 places were filled on various activities throughout the week. Staff and young people enjoyed experiencing new activities together.
BLAIRDRUMMOND SAFARI PARK - Saturday 2nd August
10 young people visited the safari park; they explored the park and enjoyed learning about different animals.
MOUNTAIN BIKING - Tuesday 5th August
Blue Horizon teamed up with Banchory Church of Scotland youth group for a day of mountain biking around Scolty Hill. To round the day off the two groups joined up for a BBQ.
SAND SURFING - Wednesday 6th August
This activity challenged the girls to think about team work and taking responsibilities for each other.
GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE - Thursday 7th August
The participants went to an interactive science theatre show, learned about global warming and the importance of recycling, etc.
DEEP SEA WORLD AND STIRLING CASTLE - Thursday 7th August
We had the opportunity to watch marine life and reptiles
Eight of the young people entered the marine tank, complete with scuba diving gear. They took part in feeding the sharks, rays and other fish.
One of the young person taught onlookers about a "bearded dragon"; she handled it, allowed people to see and touch it.
We saw historic sites of Stirling, and learned about history of Scotland at both Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument
ORIENTEERING IN KINCORTH - Monday 11th August
Young people tested their knowledge of their local area known as "The Gramps"; they learned to use maps to locate hidden wildlife icons.
With clear instructions from the Countryside Ranger the young people learned to develop these skills.
What some of the young people say:
“this has been an amazing week”
“this activities week is like a dream come true”.
“the bus is great! It gives me somewhere to go so I don’t hang about the streets”.
“textn to say thanks 4 today and I enjoyed myself cherz !”
When we first thought about doing a fashion show, we had no idea just how big and successful it would become. We decided to base our show around the theme of Fair Trade fashion. This gave the girls the opportunity to explore issues surrounding fair trade and ethical shopping, as well as learn about some of the challenges facing third world countries today. All the clothes modelled in the show were fair trade; the girls were surprised to discover that the high street stores such as Marks and Spencer and Top Shop stocked fair trade clothing.
Another exciting aspect of the show was the level of commitment shown by my four young helpers aged 16 and 17. It was fantastic to see them under take the role of positive mentoring and encouraging the girls each week.
The response from the family and friends who came to support our show was tremendous; we can't wait to start the next project.
(Lucy Meziani, Blue Horizon Youth Worker)
What the girls said:
"the fashion show was the time of my life"
"its taught me how to speak in front of lots of people. I loved every minute of it !".
"I learned that you should not care what people think and you should just go out and enjoy it"
"IN WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, DO NOT TRY TO CALL THEM BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE AND DO NOT TRY TO CALL THEM TO WHERE YOU ARE, AS BEAUTIFUL AS THAT PLACE MAY SEEM TO YOU. YOU MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO GO WITH THEM TO A PLACE THAT NEITHER YOU NOR THEY HAVE EVER BEEN BEFORE"
