all aboard the youth bus
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26 THE BRENT MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2010
Sudbury Hill Community Churchpresents
An evening of Christmas CelebrationCarols by candlelight, kids’ dance and a variety of food and fun!
Sunday 19 December 2010, 5pmSudbury Primary School Hall, Perrin Road (off Watford Rd.)
Sudbury, Wembley, HA0 3EYFor more info, visit: www.shcc-lcc.org.ukor call Pas. David Roy on 0759 5599733
Entrance is free. Come and join us
Sudbury Hill Community Churchpresents
An evening of Christmas CelebrationCarols by candlelight, kids’ dance and a variety of food and fun!
Sunday 19 December 2010, 5pmSudbury Primary School Hall, Perrin Road (off Watford Rd.)
Sudbury, Wembley, HA0 3EYFor more info, visit: www.shcc-lcc.org.ukor call Pas. David Roy on 0759 5599733
Entrance is free. Come and join us
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Jennifer runs a team of four youth workerswho use the bus to get young people aged11 to 19 off the streets, giving them thechance to meet friends, learn new skills andwork towards turning their hobbies intoqualifications.
Formerly the tour bus of rock legendsStatus Quo, the double-decker has been transformed over the past six years.The lower level houses the driver and aseating area used for jewellery and arts and craft activities. The upper level is lined with internet-enabled laptops and a widescreen television.
“When the bus comes into an estate, it’slike an ice cream van arriving,” Jenniferexplains. “Young people who see it tell
their friends because it brings activitiesright to their doorsteps.
“We offer different programmes depending on what the young people tellus. In the past, we’ve offered ICT classes,drug education, career education andworkshops in music, film and journalism.My team always does outreach work andconsults with local young people beforethe bus arrives; we’re not in the business ofdeciding what is best for an area.”
The bus travels the whole of the boroughand Jennifer plans its route in collaborationwith the police and the council’s wardworking and anti-social behaviour (ASBO)teams. “We go to the areas most in need.That might be an area without a nearby
youth club or an area where lots of youngpeople are congregating – not necessarilycausing trouble, but complaining thatthere’s nothing to do.”
Once the planning and preparation isdone and the team arrive in the area,Jennifer is keen that all of the communitysee it as a home away from home. “TheEquipped 2 Go bus is a massive asset forthe borough and a lot of thought has goneinto it. For any young person in Brent whodoesn’t think there’s anything to do andany parent who’s scared of their childrengoing too far from home; it’s a safe, welcoming and fun environment.”
For more information, visitwww.bmyvoice.org.uk/outreach
All aboard the youth bus
The Equipped 2 Go youth bus is a converted rockstartour bus that travels aroundBrent delivering activities andopportunities for youngpeople. Running, maintainingand managing the bus is the work of Outreach andDetached youth work co-ordinator Jennifer Shaw.Interview by DANIEL STEADMAN.Photography ISABELLE PLASSCHAERT.
27DECEMBER 2010 THE BRENT MAGAZINE
ALL IN Aday’s work
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