Supporting youth engagement in rural Northumberland
23rd Jul 2024
Village Halls and similar community buildings in rural Northumberland serve as the heart of their communities, providing a space for social gatherings, events, and various activities.
While often perceived as venues primarily for older members of the community, the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) and Ballinger Charitable Trust's (BCT) initiative to commission direct delivery of youth activities has demonstrated that they are also vibrant hubs for youth engagement.
Community Action Northumberland supported this initiative by identifying the village halls that could be part of this programme and organising for them to meet with representatives from NLCF and BCT and pitch their ideas.
Seventeen rural community buildings participated in the initiative, with some hosting multiple projects, culminating in a total of 23 projects. These activities were supported by £23,500 in funding and spanned a wide range of communities, from Crookham in the North to Falstone in the West, and including communities such as Bellingham, Wingates, Thropton, Longhoughton, Holy Island, and Chatton.
All the halls involved have been inspired to develop future activities to engage young people, helping to further demonstrate the critical role of Northumberland’s village halls.
Case studies of projects
Longhoughton Community & Sports Centre
Youth sessions were provided through the summer holidays for 3 hours between 1pm and 4pm.
The first three sessions were very busy with between 50 and 70 children, families, grandparents and teenagers. After a week-long break the final two sessions were attended by approximately 30 to 35 people.
It has been very well received locally and it's nice to support so many people in the summer holidays, with no cost to them. Because of the success of these sessions, the RAF have said they will send staff to support organised events.
It is recognised there is a need for young people’s activities and they do attend drop ins. There is a multi-agency group – RAF, Football club, Church, Parish Council, and Longhoughton Community and Sports Centre who are now meeting to look at youth activity and funding.
Breamish Hall
Breamish Hall in Powburn delivered two projects. The first project included a day trip to Northumberland County Zoo and the purchase of a pizza oven; the children have enjoyed making pizzas and spending time with friends and family at the village hall.
The second project involved the refurbishment of a small room for youth activities. Children helped to choose paint, cupboards and photographs to decorate the room. Small groups of children initially met once a week, while their parents were at the hall. They talked about what they wanted to do and it was to attend a youth club. Some of the funding was used to pay for a taxi for the children and young people to attend Wooler Drop In.
The hall committee have been actively working with the ‘Drop-In Centre in Wooler’ to put together a plan for an outreach youth work program based at the Breamish Hall. The program aims to support a group of young people with an experienced team of youth workers from the Drop-In.
May Wilson said
“I feel we have successfully achieved our objective, creating a safe environment for the young people of Powburn and surrounding area, to enjoy social activities and inspire young people to fulfil their potential, to develop positive relationships with others and contribute confidently to society and their local community.”
The Rede, Tyne and Coquet Centre
The RTC is a community sports and wellbeing centre located on the edge of Otterburn.
After discussions about how best to spend the money, the group decided to buy dodgeball equipment so they could keep playing one of their favourite sports and also help teach it to other young people. They also decided to plan and run a water fight to celebrate summer.
They said they loved having the freedom to plan what they really wanted to do, and that it was fun being involved all the way from organising to actually doing an activity.