Young People
Through our work with young people, we aim to increase confidence and self-esteem, and also promote interaction between young people and adults to help challenge the negative perceptions of youth that many people hold. Our projects are specifically targeted in areas where there are high levels anti-social behaviour as a way of harnessing young people's energy and so help to reduce this anti-social behaviour.
Examples of our work include
Rowner Junior Wardens
Since October 2005, Groundwork Solent has been working in partnership with young people, local agencies, organisations and other members of the local community to help young people from Rowner to get involved in their local community and make a difference to the area in which they live. Following consultation, young people have been encouraged to take on the role of junior wardens, led by Groundwork and with support from other agencies. The scheme empowers young people to engage productively with those making decisions about their neighbourhood while providing a more effective channel of communication between young and old. It has already made a real difference with community clean-ups and the creation of a youth garden.
Sports Taster Sessions
Working closely with Western Challenge Housing Association and Swaythling Housing Society, Groundwork Solent has led an extensive consultation with local residents and young people concerning improvements to the provision of sports activities in Lordshill and the Channel Isles Estates.
Groundwork Solent conducted Sports Taster Sessions twice a week, which offered young people the chance to take part in a number of different sporting activities over a six week period. The sessions were conducted in June and July 2007.
These sports sessions were specifically designed to provide access to sports in areas of low existing provision, encourage healthier lifestyles for young people and to provide a positive activity for young people to engage in.
Following the success of the Sports Taster Sessions, further sessions were held in July and August, with funding bids for long term provision to be submitted in 2008.
BMX Track
As part of the Alver Valley regeneration project, Groundwork Solent was asked by Gosport Borough Council to build a BMX track to provide more activities for young people in the area. The project began in 2004 and went through all the stages of identifying a specific site, acquiring funding, consultation, design and the planning process before finally being completed in May 2006.
The original idea was to build a play track, but following consultation with local riders and research into the sport a larger scale track was constructed to allow it to be upgraded to a regional racing standard facility in the future if popular. Designed by Full Contact Racing, the track is based on the 2004 World Championship Track and is 330m long with six straights covering an area approx 80 x 50m.
Despite early challenges and minor vandalism issues, the project has been a great success and the track has already become a well used local resource, which is widely supported by the community and youth service. Used heavily during the summer holidays the track was formal opened by the Mayor of Gosport on 23rd September 2006 with Gosport Voluntary Action sponsoring the prize draw.
With the support of British Cycling (the Governing Body for cycling sport) and the local community Groundwork Solent is working to establish BMX Club which will help shape the future identity of Gosport BMX Track.
4 Portland Buildings
Stoke Road Gosport
Hampshire PO12 1JH
T 023 9261 7020
F 023 9242 0418
E gosport@groundwork.org.uk