Posts in category: Write Back

Gathering perspectives from as many local residents as possible is a crucial aspect of this project. This means bringing in as many contributors as possible and also paying attention to the voices that are often not heard. We were therefore determined to incorporate the words of some young people outside of mainstream education and in Alternative Provision. 

On the 24th September, we were fortunate to work with a group of students aged between 12 and 16 at the 100% Sports and Education Centre. These young people had a real range of experiences and opinions, but all had suggestions for improvements in the borough. 

The young people explored their lives in the borough through a series of games. They started by visually representing their ideal lives in a “good life gallery,” then played “Hopes for the Future” bingo to share their aspirations. A “line game” allowed for non-verbal expression, after which they depicted their community’s fears, frustrations, and hopes in pictures and writing.

It was clear that all the young people had experienced significant challenges in their local area and the theme of ‘safety’ was a common thread throughout the session that was continuously linked back to. The participants had mixed views about schooling and other services locally but there was a common emphasis on the importance of sport in bringing people together, in giving young people something positive to do and keeping people off the streets. 

It was vital that this project took into consideration the views of as many residents as possible, including some of its younger inhabitants. This is particularly important in Barking and Dagenham which has one of the youngest populations nationally. So we were delighted to be able to go into Rose Lane Primary School to work with an amazing group of Year 6 students on their vision for our community.

We began our session with a ‘good life gallery’ enabling the children to express themselves through Lego and craft to create their visions for their ideal borough. We then played the line game to represent their experiences without writing before ending in some creative visualisation through drawing and through their words.

These young people brought energy, ideas and a range of experiences that helped them articulate their desires for their borough. These focused on the facilities and utilities they’d like greater access to including playparks, cinemas and shops as well as a call for greater safety and protection from crime. 

Thanks to all these young people who shared their powerful stories and honest reflections with us.

It was vital that this project took into consideration the views of as many residents as possible, including some of its younger inhabitants. This is particularly important in Barking and Dagenham which has one of the youngest populations nationally. So we were delighted to be able to go into Rose Lane Primary School to work with an amazing group of Year 6 students on their vision for our community.

We began our session with a ‘good life gallery’ enabling the children to express themselves through Lego and craft to create their visions for their ideal borough. We then played the line game to represent their experiences without writing before ending in some creative visualisation through drawing and through their words.

These young people brought energy, ideas and a range of experiences that helped them articulate their desires for their borough. These focused on the facilities and utilities they’d like greater access to including playparks, cinemas and shops as well as a call for greater safety and protection from crime. 

Thanks to all these young people who shared their powerful stories and honest reflections with us.