A young man in our youth club was knocked off his bike and seriously hurt by a lorry on the corner of our building. He has brain damage and is confined to a wheelchair. The other members are devastated and want to do something to show how they feel. How can I advise them?
It sounds like there is a road safety issue and this could be the focus of your advice. There are a number of cycle awareness and safety campaign groups that visit young people and talk to them about safety issues and how to make their voices heard. Communities can also be helped to make changes in their environmental safety, and safety audits can be facilitated in ways that make them interesting and innovative for young people.
You could also work with the young people to think about a way of welcoming their friend back to the group. It could be a therapeutic project for them to engage in, and they will be compelled to think about how they can make the environment relevant and welcoming.
Answered by Tracie Trimmer-Platman, senior lecturer in youth and community work at the University of East London
Email questions, marked “Experts”, to cypnow@markallengroup.com
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