Case Studies: Project casebook

BBC LONDON HOME

Name of project: BBC London Home Project

Goal: To give young people experience of working in creative industries and allow the BBC to build links with the local community

Funding: The project was supported by BBC London, Community Service Volunteers, the Rich Mix Centre, Crisis and law firm Clifford Chance. Funding included an Arts Council grant of £5,000 and £5,000 from Tower Hamlets Partnership

The creative industries are among the fastest-growing employers in east London but many local young people feel excluded from the media and arts worlds.

One aim of the BBC London Home Project was to give 16- to 25-year-olds from Tower Hamlets a taste of working in the sector. The concept was developed by BBC London working with Tower Hamlets Local Area Partnership 1, which covers areas including Bethnal Green North and Mile End.

"It was an opportunity for our young residents to get into a specialist and highly competitive industry and get first-hand experience of working at that level," says Lorna Hughes, one of the area partnership managers.

The partnership helped the BBC make contact with a range of local young people, including those considered hard to reach, explains Hughes.

"We worked with youth workers, third-sector organisations and community groups," she says.

The five-week programme kicked off in January with more than 50 young people taking part. It involved a series of themed workshops that gave participants the chance to work alongside professionals and gain skills in video, audio, photography, graphic design and creative writing.

For the BBC, the project was a chance to get close to the local community and link up with groups including young Muslims, explains Penny Wrout, BBC London communities editor. It was also about smashing stereotypes and giving young people the chance to express their views to a wider audience. The young people's work is being displayed in a touring exhibition that will go to libraries and other community venues.

For media student Nawez Mungroo, 20, the project was a chance to gain valuable experience. "It was really good - you learned stuff, met new people and made new friends," he said.

One highlight was a day spent in Brick Lane, the heart of the Bangladeshi community in the East End of London, interviewing people about food. "The hardest bit was the fact you had to take a bit of time to prepare - the actual practical stuff was great," says Nawez. "I have definitely added to my CV."

Abida Jalal, 16, says the project helped her gain an understanding of different cultures. "I am very proud of myself and everyone who took part for proving what young people can do if given the opportunity," she says.

ASTO SMALL SHIPS RACES

Name of project: Association of Sea Training Organisations' Small Ships Races

Goal: To enable young people to gain skills and confidence through sail training

Funding: Each race is supported by a range of partners, including the association's members, local councils, marinas and other sponsors to the value of £15,000 to £20,000

Taking to the sea can be a life-changing experience for some young people.

The Association of Sea Training Organisations (ASTO) Small Ships' Races offer 12- to 25-year-olds from all backgrounds the opportunity to take part in a sailing competition. The scheme began in 2002 and has grown to encompass an annual week-long event in Cowes in October and a second smaller race at a different port each year. The main race is only part of the experience, explains ASTO business manager Craig Burton.

Young participants enjoy a range of group activities, including sporting events and trips. It is also a chance to meet new people and make friends.

The top trophy in a Small Ships Race goes to the team that encompasses the spirit of the event and not the boat first across the finish line. About 30 ships crewed by 400 people take part in the Cowes race.

Vessels range from traditional sailboats to high-tech vessels and many ships cater for young people with disabilities. "For most of them, it's the first real experience away from the comforts of home and their own comfort zone," says Burton.

Young people play a key role in running the ship, including chores such as cooking and cleaning. Those that go on longer voyages can gain Royal Yachting Association accreditation.

"There is a real focus on personal development," says Burton. "It also teaches young people how to work as a team."

START

Name of project: Start

Goal: To give young people a safe place to meet

Funding: £14,000 from Awards for All and the Veolia Environmental Trust

Ranskill's futuristic new youth shelter is a world away from the boring bus shelters where young people used to congregate.

The idea came from the Ranksill Parish Council's youth group, Start (Scrooby, Torworth and Ranskill Teens), who wanted to create a place where 11- to 17-year-olds from the Nottinghamshire village could meet.

Ranskill is seven miles from the nearest town and public transport is irregular so young people tended to hang out in places like bus shelters.

While activities took place in the village, these tended to cater for older members of the community, explains parish council youth worker Kristian Denman.

"The main need for the shelter was to give our young people a sense of ownership," he says. "It was strangely warming when I heard a young boy say they would 'look after it'."

The shelter was erected in March after young people from the village met to decide on the size and style. They chose an aluminium and stainless steel structure by manufacturer Rekk. The shelter has solar-powered lighting and can be used in all weathers.

Up to 15 young people were directly involved in the project and have gained a sense of achievement from seeing the scheme through.

Max Blunden, 14, helped choose the design of the building and is pleased with the results. "It's good because you can just go there," he said. "Before, people complained a lot because we used to go to the bus shelters. If something was broken, the kids were always blamed, even if it wasn't our fault. Now we go to the park and no-one can moan because it was built just for us."

LIFEWISE

Name of project: Lifewise

Goal: To bring young people together in a stand against gun and knife crime

Funding: £12,000 to £15,000 from South Thames College, plus £140,000 from the Learning and Skills Network's MoLeNET programme, including 20 per cent match-funding from the college

Gun and knife crime has had a devastating impact on communities in south London, so South Thames College has decided to tackle the issue head on.

It has been at the centre of a project called Lifewise, which has involved more than 200 young people from the college and six secondary schools in the London Borough of Wandsworth.

The project culminated in a showcase event at London's City Hall last month, but kicked off in October 2007. It has seen young people collaborate on a variety of curriculum-based projects incorporating arts, media health and social care.

Activities included a theatre production to tour schools and community venues, a CD of original music and an action plan to tackle the social problems that lead to violent crime. The project was also supported by a programme of seminars, visits and speakers.

"The Lifewise event is just to try to make people more aware of the problem of gun and knife crime, particularly in London, but also across the country," says 19-year-old Tony Lazari, one of the young people involved.

"We had the opportunity and felt it was something we should commit to 110 per cent. It's great we've had the input from the schools as it's made more of an impact," he adds.

Good communication was important and the use of mobile technology was a key strand. All participants were given hand-held devices that allowed them to send texts, emails and music files. "They've proved really useful and helped keep everyone up to date with progress," says Tony.

Hip-hop performer Shani Anderson-Campbell - also known as Mysterious Kid - helped create music for the campaign. The 19-year-old, who is studying for a national diploma in music technology, worked with 15-year-olds at the City Learning Centre to create a track called Is this the Way? "Some of them came up with lyrics and some came up with bits of sound they wanted to use," says Shani, who performed the track at the showcase.

Mary Zinovieff, the college's head of creative industries and 14-16 programmes, masterminded the project in a bid to boost collaboration between the college and local schools.

"It has worked really well," she says. "There has been real interest and enthusiasm and it has been really productive, including the fact we're engaging in a very important current issue," says Zinovieff.