20/08/2010 : All aboard the youth bus

Brent Housing Partnership's (BHP) Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) Team arranged for young people from the CAM Estate in Cricklewood to enter into an exciting new high-tech world aboard the "Equipped to Go" youth bus.

The double-decker bus is a mobile resource centre specifically designed for young people; it is attractive and well equipped with plasma screens, a state of the art computer suite and a leather lounge area where young people can chill out. The young people spent the afternoon participating in workshops and activities.

The youth bus is part of many activities planned for young people on the CAM estate. It follows from a consultation with youth on the estate in June in response to reports of anti social behaviour from young people in the area.

BHP's ASB Team wanted to consult with the young people about activities they wanted to participate in, which would help keep them off the street, engaged and less likely to get involved in anti social behaviour.

The ASB Team engaged in partnership working with Brent Youth Service who own the "Equipped to Go" bus and run sessions with the young people. This has proved to be a very successful partnership and is set to continue on the CAM estate where there is a big need for youth engagement.  

The youth bus session was very well attended; it was at its full capacity. Young people enjoyed the following activities:

• drugs education workshop
• consultation on a youth website
• internet access
• revisit of the consultation event that took place on 7 June
• information about other activities in the borough for young people.

After a discussion with the group about their activity preferences for the next six months, they decided on weekly music workshops and a personal development programme on youth crime and being aware of rights and responsibilities. They also decided on Go Karting as a trip for the next holidays.

Sandra Royer, Director of Housing Management said: "Following complaints from residents about anti social behaviour from young people in the area, our ASB Team were keen to engage with our young residents to deter them from anti social behaviour, and provide activities that they would find enjoyable and fulfilling. The youth bus is an appealing resource to encourage young people to get involved and it proved to be a huge success. This is the first of many youth initiatives that our ASB Team will be running in partnership with Brent Youth Service."