Southwater Youth Project

For the Children and Young People of Southwater

Supporting our Youth

Southwater Youth Project helps children and young people, in Southwater, to be the best that they can and to believe in themselves, by supporting mental wellbeing and promoting positive self-esteem.

This project has been helping children and young people in Southwater since 2006.

The project provides indoor and outdoor activities for children and young people between the ages of 8 to 19 in the Southwater area.

Their focus is upon helping children be the best that they can and believe in themselves, by supporting mental wellness and promoting positive self-esteem.

The Youth worker and team of volunteers works with schools, wardens, PCSO, parish council, local businesses and volunteer residents. This collaborative approach is both inclusive and influential and unites us as the Southwater Community.

This website was made by Finlay, Noah, James and William.

Programme

(As of December 2022)

Art Club

An opportunity for young people to try new and different types and styles of art. For those youngsters who want to they can also sign up to take part in, work towards the Trinity Arts College Discover and Explore Arts Award.

Each term we are looking to display the awesome works of art that the young people have been working on. Each group member is given a sketch book to take away with them so that they can continue to doodle/work on ideas throughout the week.

Examples of art that we have or will be exploring include Quilling, water colouring, etch/foil art, sketching, paint pouring, clay work and much more. The ideas the young people have suggested are endless.

Schools Work

SYP works in local primary schools and secondary schools working with students either in small groups, doing confidence building, resilience, building self esteem, anger management etc. Supporting students pastorally, mentoring/one to one work. Being guided by the needs/concerns of the young person. As well as detached youth work, hanging out with students during break and lunch times.

Some of our schools work, we work in partnership with other agencies, 4the youth, HDC Community Wardens, Youth ASB team, the schools pastoral teams.

After School Club/junior Youth Club, providing a safe space

A Our after school club & junior youth clubs are open access for any of the age group to attend. We offer games, crafts, pool, computers and more for children and young people to engage with postive activitivirties and have the opportuntity to try out new skills. We encourage ALL our groups to be an open and safe space for young people to feel valued and loved, as well as offering a listening ear for all.

Youth Hang Out

Wednesday evenings 6.30-8pm. Meeting upstairs in the local pub ( The Lintot) we are offering a FREE drop-in safe space session for young people in school years 8 upwards somewhere to hang out, chat with friends old and new, youth workers and trained awesome volunteers, play a game of pool, have a drink, and do so much more, board/card games/crafts/drawing… we offer support and also signposting to other groups and sessions.

Encourage young people to to thrive and be the best they can in a safe, postive and supportive environment.

Please note this is operated as a ‘drop-in’ space which means your child can come for as long as they wish and will be supervised unless they depart The Hangout by their own accord.

Be the best YOU can be: 6/8 week self-esteem course for young people.

One to one mentoring & support

Detached Youth Work

Boxing, DJ, arts, cycling, and many more workshops

Elivate @ Tanbridge House School

Support / interventions @ Tanbridge House School and Millais

Bohunt pastoral support

Southwater Junior Academy pastoral support

Skate Jam, Village Christmas, Music Fest

Snack Wagon

We are lucky enough to benefit from the ‘Snack Wagon’ with support from HDC & 4TheYouth. The ‘Snack Wagon’ is a Mobile Community Hub that visits areas within the Horsham district. We run this with support from Horsham District Council and 4TheYouth.

It offers help, advice and free snacks to young people aged 13 - 18. With the easing of Covid 19 restrictions, the ‘Snack Wagon’ provides a safe environment for young people to gather with their friends, grab a free bite to eat or drink and chat with youth workers, who can provide advice and resources on lots of issues, particularly those generated by the pandemic.

Tuesday Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a non-competitive programme of activities for anyone aged 14 to 25. There are three progressive levels each containing four/five sections. Participants must show commitment over a period of time and are encouraged to develop a range of skills.

Levels:

• Bronze (for those aged 14 and over)
  
• Silver (for those aged 15 and over)
  
• Gold (for those aged 16 and over)
  
• 
  

The sections:

• Volunteering – helping people in the community
  
• Skills – developing a new skill
  
• Physical – sport, dance and fitness
  
• Expeditions – training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback, by boat or cycle
  
• Residential project (Gold Award only) – a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant
  

DofE groups are run by qualified adults who share their skills, enthusiasm and organizing abilities to help young people reach their potential. If you are in year 9 or above, then you can get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award and you have till your 25th birthday to complete it.

By starting your DofE award you are giving yourself a better chance of getting that college, university place or job in the future. You will gain key life skills whilst having a great experience which will stay with you for the rest of your life. SYP is currently running a bronze group we have 11 youngsters working towards their bronze award and expedition this summer.

We meet weekly at the Laurie Apted building at the Sports field, it’s a great location to meet and then go out walking and exploring the various walking routes around the village and area, putting into practice the skills taught during our sessions, map reading/compass skills using a route card etc.

We’ve been teaching youngsters to cook on the traditional gas Trangia’s, how to put up tents, pack a rucksack and other skills needed to have fun and be safe while out on expedition. It’s been great to have local first aid trainer Jenny Legg from Training Legs First Aid come along and teach the young people the required first aid needed for the expedition but also a lifesaving skill.

We would love to hear from you!

Southwater Youth Project

southwateryouthworker@hotmail.co.uk

07795 835905

Charity Number: 1197216