Decoded Youth Project

Decoded support youth development through providing culturally targeted youth events; focused on the teaching of life skills, the facilitation of personal growth and the creation of environments for gaining new experiences. They aim to be an inclusive youth organisation dedicated to the educational, spiritual and social development of teenagers in and around Weston-super-Mare.

Decoded Youth Project
Holy Trinity Church,
South Road,
Weston Super Mare
BS23 2HD.  

(t): 01934 629421
(w) www.decoded.com

Contact: Peta Waite, project worker [07855 747907; peta@decoded.com; peta_waite@hotmail.com]; Richard Ellgrinton, manager [07775 612586; richard@decoded.com]; David Garbett (Gap Scheme Worker) [07887 534882; davidrgarbett@hotmail.com]

A Youth or Adult? Project 2003-2008

D:code:d Youth Projects  are based out of Holy Trinity Church, Weston-super-Mare. It is a registered charity, and our work is furthered by a team of voluntary youth leaders who are trained in all areas of relational youth work. We also enjoy a high level of support from church members, W-s-M Town Council, North Somerset DC, all the local secondary schools and the district police. Working within this context has given us much credibility within the town setting and also increased the support and resources given to us from a variety of organisations.

Our core principles are to:

• Value all individuals.

• Maintain the highest standards in all that we do.

• Provide and environment based on mutual trust and respect.

• Release young people into their potential.

Projects funded by Rank Charities

 The Rank Charities currently fund a Youth or Adult Worker (potential 5 year scheme in line with YMCA George Williams Degree) and a Gap Scheme Worker (9 months). Examples of the work undertaken include:

‘Big Wednesday’. ‘Big Wednesday’ is our weekly youth event, which aims to create an environment in which learning, and new experiences, can take place. The event attracts numbers of 70+ each week. This not only provides a venue for the building of social skills, but further offers teaching on life skills, facilitating team work and leadership training. These have been supplemented by weekends away, sports activities and dance classes. We plan to develop this youth work for specific age groups (11-14 and 14+) by expanding ‘Big Wednesday’ to two nights a week; and further expansion to other regions of the town.

‘The Silver Dome’. The Silver Dome is our monthly youth event, which attracts up to 1000 young people to enjoy live bands and DJ’s in a safe drug and alcohol free environment. This event arose from a local need for a secure alternative to the night life of the town; and through the young people’s requests for something they could take ownership of in a ‘town wide’ sense. We have developed links with the local police and a team of 60 youth leaders and security team members man the event. The value of this event to the local community has been acknowledged by the Town Council and local authorities.

School’s Work. The demand for relational schools work within Weston is high. We have developed links with Wyvern, Worle, Broadoak and Priory secondary schools, where we have run school’s weeks with bands playing at the Silver Dome. After School Clubs have also been established within Wyvern and Worle Community Schools, and we are hoping to begin these within every school in the town. Currently, these after school clubs, known as ‘Sofa’, work with over 30% of year 7s, and are very focused on personal and social development. Detached youth work within these schools further provides the platform for providing culturally acceptable youth mentoring and youth counselling.