Ask the Expert: Dealing with local residents

17 May 2011 1 min read Tracie Trimmer-Platman Youth Work

A local artist has helped us make a sculpture in the yard at the front of our youth centre. But the path that leads up to the centre also belongs to some local residents who say the sculpture is ugly and they want it removed. The residents are taking the matter to the council and the young people are upset. What should I do?

This sounds like a great project and something that the young people are keen to show off. But the rights and feelings of local residents must also be taken into consideration.

So I suggest that the first thing you do is invite them to your centre for a get-together with you and your young people. Make the residents aware of how much the sculpture means to all of you but, above all, listen to and acknowledge their grievances. Then discuss what could be done to address them. For example, consider repositioning the sculpture. Or if the sculpture is temporary, make sure that your neighbours realise that their "problem" will soon disappear.

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