Outcome area - Youth and Leisure opportunities
NM identified the lack of youth provision and this has continued to be of concern. We have lobbied the Youth Service on this issue as well as working with voluntary sector providers.

Our sports trailer is now in operation – being run by Leisure Services with local people being trained up to take it out.

One of our main success to date is the Youth Radio Project ‘Radio Kidz’ which ran during the summer of 2004 where seventeen young people aged between 11 and 19 years old, attended a two week training course prior to the Restricted Licence Broadcast for 28 days, and learnt all aspects of radio production, research, interview skills, administration, presentation… and a whole host of interpersonal skills.

The purpose of the project was to train and develop a group of local young people identified through the Youth Service, Connexions, local church projects and other community development workers, as those being most likely to commit anti-social behaviour or in need of special attention for other reasons, in all aspects of Radio.

During the 28 day broadcast the radio trainees interviewed many local representatives enabling numerous issues and events to be aired. Talks and discussions on social problems such as domestic violence, alcohol, drugs, and vandalism took place. Information on education, employment, health social and public services was broadcast. There were special programmes highlighting community relations and ethnic community issues.

The radio team also recorded the NM ‘Lick of Paint’ day, organised by NM at which local young people played live for a community painting event to enhance the area.

A huge number of local people tuned into the station, especially young people interested in their peers broadcasts, and feedback received at Neighbourhood Management was all positive and logged the progress and the developing skills of the young people from the beginning to end of the broadcast period.

During the six weeks that the young people were engaged in the project they all developed confidence and self-esteem that was not evident before being involved, and some of them have been offered work with BBC Radio Solent as a result of this exercise!

Building on the success of last years Radio Kidz we will use this year’s youth radio station to find out what young people themselves want from their area and services. What young people say through the four weeks of programmes, phone ins and events will influence the areas youth strategy.

Two commissioned feasibilities into buildings in Springbourne, have provided invaluable information and one outcome is that during 2005 the unused half of Springbourne Library is being refurbished and redeveloped into a Room for Community use. The feasibility for St Mary’s, the redundant church, in Holdenhurst Road, resulted in a voluntary group being set up called the ‘Bourne Spring Trust’. This group has submitted designs for planning permission, which, if approved, will result in the building being redeveloped as a community centre and base for voluntary sector groups. The group is also fundraising to pay for the redevelopment, and in the meantime will make that building available for youth and community groups.