Inspire’s outreach work in Lowestoft is helping young people take greater pride in their local spaces.
As part of their detached youth work approach, Inspire Youth workers regularly visit places where young people spend time. One location has been the town’s skatepark.
Staff have been building relationships and learning more about the challenges young people face.
Recently, they also brought along some litter pickers, with the young people taking over and cleaning up the space.
“The young people immediately got involved,” Vicky New, Project Manager for Inspire said. “They took the litter pickers and said they’d do it themselves. It wasn’t something we pushed, they wanted to take pride in where they skate.”
“It really showed how much they care about the space and that they appreciate us being there,” she added.
Vicky added how beneficial detached youth work is, getting to signpost the services we offer to young people we don’t usually come in to contact with.
“Out on detached, you don’t set the rules, you just show up consistently and listen,” Vicky explained. “That’s when you start to see changes.”
“We’re starting to see some of the young people we meet come to our Friday youth hub drop-in, which is a big step,” Vicky added. “In one of our first outreach sessions, I was able to refer someone to our wellbeing service. These small interactions can lead to real support.”
This work is funded through East Suffolk Council – Lowestoft Safer Streets and the Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner Fund.
