Mid and East Antrim: Youth safety a priority during summer, policing partnership told
Support will be offered to young people to keep them safe this summer, Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has been told.
Speaking at a public meeting, at The Braid, in Ballymena, senior Education Authority youth worker Johnny Crymble said the holiday period can be a “risky” time for children and young people without their usual school structure.
He explained that Education Authority youth summer schemes in Mid and East Antrim, which will take place at seven venues, are “all about building relationships and provide an opportunity see and hear what is going on in a young person’s life”.
“That is our opportunity to create some safety nets. For most, summer schemes are all about safety.”
Johnny added that most youth centres will be open three nights a week during the summer. Activities include sports, arts and crafts and cookery.
“A lot of our young people live on free school meals,” he commented. “Making a pizza, for example, for some can mean they have some food that day.”
Emotional health and well-being are among issues covered with focus on mental health and well-being, healthy lifestyles and community relations as well as inclusion and accessibility.
“We are trying to build up resilience through summer programmes,” he explained.
Challenges facing young people, he stated, are cost of living, mental health concerns, anti-social behaviour, rural isolation and social media.
Safeguarding is also a priority for the Youth Service. “We have two months every year when no-one sees them. Over the summer, we are dealing with random safeguarding issues.”
Jonny Farrell, chief executive officer, Carrickfergus YMCA, said: “The work we do is about helping young people to build a better future. We want them to have a safe place to live and to have the opportunities needed to realise their full potential.”
He explained YMCA programmes have “particular focus on impacting the lives of young people”, ranging from a youth club to the youth engagement service, PAKT (Parents and Kids Together) and independent living programme.
The outreach team can be found on streets across Mid and East Antrim engaging with young people to get them involved in diversionary activities. YMCA youth worker Matthew Simpson is involved in outreach street work.
“This time of year, our focus is about safety and bonfires and telling young people how to participate in a safer way,” he told the meeting. “We focus on diversionary activities coming up to July 11 and 12.”
Last June and July, he reported “a lot of racial tension due to riots which we tried to de-escalate”.
A PSNI officer told the meeting there is a “growing recognition of early intervention in the lives of children and young people as a more effective and preventative approach” against involvement in crime and keeping them safe.
This can be carried out through work with partner agencies such as the YMCA, schools and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
Commenting on anti-social behaviour, PSNI Sergeant Chris McIlroy, Larne and Carrickfergus, reported: “The greatest area for demand is Carrickfergus town centre, the Castle ward, around the leisure centre and Marine play park.
“Our response for the past year is high visibility patrols every Friday and Saturday night. We are doing the best we can with what (resources) we have.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter