Punk exhibition inspires youth work students' practice

The exhibition, hosted by Newcastle Contemporary Art (NCA) at its gallery on High Bridge, Newcastle, celebrated the legacy of Tyne and Wear’s youth music collective.

Among those involved in creating the exhibition were Dr Wendy Gill, lecturer in community and youth work at the University of Sunderland, and Dr Helen Smith, faculty academic support lead at the University’s Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries and director and curator of NCA.

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A group of Sunderland students were recruited as co-researchers; scribes and a photographer, who captured the thoughts and opinions of visitors and how they received the exhibition.

The findings of the research, along with the students’ experience, is now being used to investigate how youth work practices have changed since the 1980s and how they can implement what they have learned from the exhibition into their own professional development.

Gill said: “The exhibition provided the students with the space to engage in collaborative learning which is a fundamental aspect of community and youth work. They were able to discuss youth work as they experience it and from collaboration, identified how their practice can be informed and improved, ensuring young people are at the heart of what they do.

“As a lecturer, applying the principles of youth work to research and learning was very exciting as the students were able to apply their learning to their individual professional practice as well as gain first-hand experience of conducting academic research.”

During the exhibition, students heard from people from the 1980’s collectives alongside youth workers of the time and visitors to the exhibition about their experiences.

Themes discussed included youth workers and young people having autonomy, learning skills, developing democratic relationships, the importance of young people having people who believed in them and finding their “tribe”.

Erin Gilbert, a community and youth work student from the University of Sunderland, said: “It was good to speak people about their history and learn their stories. The whole experience has helped me with my fear of doing detached youth work. I had to go and learn how to speak to people and build a rapport with them in a short time. It was a great experience.”

The exhibition detailed how young people in Newcastle in the 80s found solace and a vibrant music scene in an old, disused warehouse venue called The Garage.

However, after The Garage closed in 1981, the Gateshead Music Collective breathed new life into a former police club in Gateshead, known as The Station, which became the new epicentre for punk music in the area.

A similar venue, The Bunker, in Sunderland, continues to thrive today.