On 9 May 2019, 12 young people from Thornaby ‘Youthy’ set on a mission to clean up the areas surrounding the youth club on Thornaby Road, including Victoria Park. They then moved on to Thornaby High Street to continue their litter pick.
The young people attend the Thursday evening open access Youth United Stockton session at the Youthy, took it upon themselves to organise the litter pick to give something back and make a positive impact on their community. The litter pick was successful and the young people filled over 8 refuse bags worth of litter from Thornaby.
They were also supported in their mission, by Thornaby Town Centre Management Team and Stockton Council’s Care for your Area service. Funding for the project came from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s ‘High Street Community CleanUp’ which enabled the purchase of litter pickers and gloves for the young people as well as a treat to say thank you for their hard work. Five Lamps Youth Participation Workers and a local Thornaby resident also volunteered their time to help the young people.
The litter pick was the start of their determination as they now feel more encouraged to continue on their mission of cleaning up the area.
Darren Iveson, Youth Services Manager said;
“Well done to all of the young people who attended the clean-up. Young people often get a bad press so it’s great that a group of them have made a positive impact on their community”
Five Lamps and Corner House Youth Project are the accountable bodies for Youth United Stockton (YUS) which is the Open Access Youth Provision in Stockton-On-Tees. Youth United Stockton is delivering free youth sessions across the Borough for young people aged 10-19 years old. For more information visit www.yus.org.uk.
Five Lamps run four youth clubs every week from their purpose built youth facility the ‘Youthy’
· Tuesday’s (17:30 to 20:30)
o VIBE (young people with physical and learning disabilities aged 7 to 21 years)
· Wednesday’s (5.15pm to 7.45pm)
o All Stars Youth Club (for young people aged 7 to 10 years)
· Thursday’s (18:30 to 20:30)
o Youth United Stockton (YUS) Youth Club (for young people aged 11 to 18 years)
· Friday’s (17:30 to 20:30)
o VIBE (young people with physical and learning disabilities aged 7 to 21 years