Stoke-on-Trent MPs support local Youth Collective
Stoke-on-Trent MPs Jack Brereton, Jo Gideon, and Jonathan Gullis threw their backing between the newly formed Stoke-on-Trent Youth collective, formed by over 38 local youth organisations driven forward by “Ruff & Ruby”, a local urban youth charity headed by Dawn Reynolds.
The collective is focused on generous leadership & authentic partnership focusing on a relational youth practitioner network, youth voice & delivering dynamic youth provision, adding value to existing youthwork in the city. The collective is also backed by the Staffordshire police and both local football club trusts.
The focus of this new initiative is to empower young people to BELIEVE,BELONG & BECOME, improving young people’s self-worth, raising aspirations & improving life chances by providing early intervention, & support that is focused on 'opportunity and purpose', along with the reduction of crime & violence. The programmes planned offer innovative engagement such as creative workshops, mental health support, sport, life coaching & mentoring, education & edutainment.
Most importantly, the formation of this group means the city’s youth organisations are working together.
The next stage in the development of this group is the creation of “The Warehouse project” (1) a dynamic youth hub delivering purposeful facilities as well as a whole program of purposeful engagement for young people 7 days a week, focusing on after school and into the evening.
This project has been partly created by students themselves, developed over the last 18 months with representatives from local high schools as part of the 'SHAPE YOUR GEN' movement.
The MPs pledged to help the programme obtain funding from lottery and other sources.
Jack Brereton MP said:
“The work being done by Dawn, Ruff & Ruby charity and the representing organisations of the SOT Youth Collective right across the city is making such a massive difference. I will of course do what I can to support them, through identifying funding, raising awareness in local schools, and lobbying the Government for support through the local council.
I’d also like to thank everyone involved in this incredible initiative”.
Jonathan Gullis MP said:
“Dawn and her energy show we Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke is the best place to live. Community is at the heart of everything we do and I am delighted to be working with Jack, Jo, Dawn and everyone involved in the Stoke Youth Collective to make this idea reality.”
Jo Gideon MP said:
“Dawnie brings great passion, energy and experience to this exciting project and I believe it will be a success. I look forward to supporting the Youth Collective as it delivers great facilities for our local youth.”
