The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Ramps, Drums and Dance a Huge Success with Neston Young People

The first ever Urban Liberation Youth Event at Neston Community & Youth Centre attracted around 150 young people.

A day packed with activities was arranged by volunteers led by Ruth Hall and Paula Prytherch, funded by NC&YC's youth provision budget, contributions from Project Rural Matters and Cllrs Louise Gittens and Andy Williams' Member's Budgets and Cheshire West and Chester Council's Young People Services.

On offer were: ramps for skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes from Ramp Riders; Graffiti Workshop and Vinyl Record decorating with Andy 'Dimeone' Birch; a demonstration of free running by the Ellesmere Port and Chester Parkour Collective; Streetdance; a Drum Workshop; Nail Art; Aromatherapy; C.E.L.L.S (a community regeneration project aimed at showing youths what it is like, to be behind bars); advice and information on drug/alcohol awareness, sexual health and relationships and health and nutrition; bike repairs and engraving.

Although aimed primarily at those aged 11 and over, some younger siblings could not resist having a go at some of the activities - giving them a taste of things to come at similar events which the organisers hope to arrange in future.

Our photographs give just a taste of the buzz and excitement of the day.  Comments left by some of the young people ranged from 'Awesome day!' to 'Great day, more of the same please!'

Details of future events will be published on AboutMyArea Neston as soon as they become available. 

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Comments

shaz

At 11:08 on 29th August 2012, shaz commented:

my son would have loved this but it was advertised as being for over 12's so didnt take him, but i have heard there were lots of children there from 5 up, maybe next time it could be open age and advertised that it is, thanks x

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Katie Robson

At 12:22 on 29th August 2012, Katie Robson responded:

Hi Shaz,

To be fair to the organisers, this was a first attempt at this, and it was advertised as, and intended for, 11's and over. However, due to younger siblings coming along, and passing 'trade' on the day, you are right that many younger people did end up joining in. The funding was earmarked for the 11+ age group, so I would imagine that in order to run future events for all ages, different funding would have to be accessed.

I believe the idea was to give the older young people something aimed specifically at them, as younger children already benefit from the various 'Play Days' and 'Family Fun Days' that take place in the area.

It would be interesting to get some feedback from the organisers, so I will point out your comment to them.

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Gareth P

At 12:58 on 29th August 2012, Gareth P commented:

Hi Shaz and thanks Carrie.

I think Carrie answered the question pretty much as well as I could but just to back up what Carrie has said it was, and will be in future, a Youth Event and targetted at 11-16 year olds.

We were surprised at the number of younger children who turned up. Our initial evaluation of the event has highlighted a couple of things, bearing in mind that this was the first event we have tried.

1. We will have to be much stricter on the age range next time in order to attract and maintain the target group
2. That we may need to do a 'mini' event next year for younger ones.

The activities on offer this time do have an element of risk attached that has to be managed and we would have to assess those risks very differently for 5 year olds.

With the possibility of Neston Children's Centre moving it's provision to NCYC next year we will certainly explore the idea further.

Finally, thanks for feedback and the suggestions.

Gareth Prytherch
Chair NCYC

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Paul D

At 09:27 on 30th August 2012, Paul D commented:

Congratulations to the organisers, it seems to have been a very popular event.

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