Last August young people from the Focus Youth Project, the Services for Young People (SfYP) Broxbourne district youth work project for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), identified key areas for improvement at the Waltham Cross Young People's Centre where the project takes place every week. Since then, significant progress has been made. Funded by a grant from the Youth Investment Fund, the refurbishment aims to improve the facilities and upgrade the equipment to better meet the needs of young people and create an inclusive community space.
The young people have continued to take the lead and on 10 April, supported by SfYP Youth Workers, they met with the building contractor, Mulalley, to discuss their ideas. Inside, they want to create a quiet sensory room, improve the music studio and include features such as colour-changing lights, different floor textures, beanbags and sensory toys. The outside area will see a transformation too, with plans for an outdoor gym, dance studio, group work area and a vegetable garden.
The contractors will now draw up the proposed designs and present them to the group later this month. The young people have requested regular updates from their SfYP Youth Workers, opportunities to visit the site, and ongoing involvement in all the decisions being made.
Having their voices heard and being part of this transformation process has been empowering for the young people involved. Their feedback below shows the sense of ownership and pride it has given them:
"I have the opportunity to influence the decisions being made."
"I feel fully involved."
“ I am listened to.”
“I am making a difference.”
Waltham Cross Young People’s Centre will reopen in October 2024. Youth work projects continue to run from other venues in the Broxbourne district.
Please contact the SfYP Broxbourne Team for more information about how SfYP supports young people in the area or refer a young person to SfYP.
