Teenagers are bovvered!

Jan 8 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THEY are in danger of being dubbed the “am I bovvered?’’ generation.

Young people still hang around on street corners – as they have done for decades.

They are seen as a nuisance by some while others immediately condemn them as yobs.

But why are they out, especially in the middle of winter?

The same old tale always comes through; “there’s nothing to do.’’

They could just as well retort “Am I bovvered?” just like Lauren, the schoolgirl character made famous by comedienne Catherine Tate.

So what do they want to do – and how feasible is it?

Workers from Streetscene now go out on the streets to talk to the youngsters, gain their trust and help them into anything else they may want in life.

The knock-on effect can be remarkable.

When Streetscene went into Meltham crime and anti-social behaviour dropped dramatically.

It takes months to build up that trust.

But when it works, as it did in Meltham, it works very well.

Streetscene worker Tony Holroyd and volunteer Michael Brown have been meeting groups in Oakes, Almondbury and the bus station in Huddersfield town centre for months.

Tony said: “We are here to give them information, advice and guidance and try to link them with youth provision in their area.’’

That’s the ethos.

Putting it into practice is something else.

It takes a lot of trust – on both sides.

The advice can also range from stopping the risk of teenage pregnancies through to drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness and self-harm.

“It can cover any kind of issue,’’ said 34-year-old Tony. “The main thing is that the youngsters lead the conversation. It’s what they want that counts.’’

Most of the youngsters are aged from 13 to 16.

Here’s what they have to say.

Laura, 13, is part of a group that often meets up at the youth shelter on Reinwood playing fields at Oakes.

She said: “We’re here to chill and hang out together. After all, we love each other. None of our parents want such a large group in the house. Being here gives us that freedom. We can talk about what we want.’’

And they do.

They are kids. Every time a question is asked they’ll talk across to one another while it’s being answered.

Often they’re shouting – but don’t seem to realise it.

But that’s often why they seem rowdy to passers-by. The ones they’re often shouting at are often each other.

In short, they probably like arguing.

Tony said: “They can be loud, but don’t realise the impression it can give to others.’’

One thing stands out.

They say they rarely see the police – and if a bobby or police community support officers speaks to them it’s usually after there has been some trouble and they are after information.

Tony said: “When we first started to talk to the kids in Meltham they would run away if they saw the police coming.

“Now, after 12 months work there, crime figures have dropped by around 43%. And they don’t run away when they see the police coming any more.’’

Streetscene has to be flexible and sometimes works with the police to try to get the youngsters on their side.

Tony revealed that sometimes they liaise with the police so officers steer clear while they are building up the trust.

Youngsters in all the areas are united in one thing they want; somewhere warm and dry where they can play their music.

Simple as that.

Not a youth club. The 13 to 16-year-olds reckon too many younger children hang around there.

A climbing frame was set up in Almondbury aimed at teenagers – but has been met with derision by the youngsters on the streets there.

Tony also reckons it was a waste of money.

He said: “The kids were very excited when they saw it being built. At first they thought it was a skate park, but could not believe it when it turned out to be a climbing frame.

“The kids this is aimed at just won’t use climbing frames at their age. It was reckoned that this had worked for 14 to 18-year-olds elsewhere.

“Well. it doesn’t work for teenagers in Almondbury. That’s part of the problem. When councils try to make improvements they simply don’t consult properly with the youngsters.

“They think they know what’s right for them and go ahead and do it rather than asking them what they really want. At that stage the youngsters feel let down after their hopes and expectations have been raised.’’

Now he’s in the early stages of planning a remarkable project, taking a microphone and recording equipment out on the streets and getting youngsters from each area to record a track and turn it into an album.

The main centre for youngsters hanging around in Huddersfield is the main bus station.

The reason is simple. It’s the town’s main crossroads, where youngsters from all over meet up.

Some are not wanted and have been given banning letters.

But when Home Office officials travelled to Huddersfield to discuss youth provision they ended up with more than they bargained for, with several youngsters turning up and telling them exactly what they thought.

“I think the experience was quiet a shock for them,’’ said Tony.

But the crowd is transient.

Eventually they move on in life, settle down and have their own children.

Naomi, 14, comes from a large family – and her sisters used to hang around in the bus station.

They don’t now; they are at college or in jobs.

Naomi said: “Some security guards let us stay in the station, but others kick us out. People complain because we are too loud. There’s no need for anyone to be afraid. It’s just us being rowdy.’’

Daniel, 16, said: “The bus station is in the middle of everything. You have to come here.’’

Jonathan, 19, added: “It takes me ages to get through the station to catch my bus; I know so many people.’’

They all stress there are no regular clubs in town for youngsters.

In the 70s there was the Starlight on Fridays and a youth disco at St Patrick’s Club.

Now music nights are few and far between, around one every three months.

Tony said: “They are always asking me when the next one will be.’’

And Tony – who used to work with people who have alcohol and drug problems – said that from his experience the youngsters hanging around do not get involved in trouble.

“While doing this job the most trouble I’ve seen is from adults who have come to the bus station after drinking a lot of alcohol,’’ he said. “They get wound up by the youngsters and that’s when the trouble starts.’’

Naomi added: “They are worse than us. All we want to do is talk, listen to music and dance.’’

Michael Brown is a support worker on Calderdale and Kirklees Careers’ Slipstream Course, aimed at 16 to 18-year-olds who are out of work and education.

The course is tailored to give them important life skills to raise self-esteem. These range from living on a budget through to sex education.

Michael said: “We give them £2 and then send them into town to see what they can get for that – and they are allowed to haggle.

“It’s amazing what they come back with and it shows they can live on a tight budget. Some of them are only aged 16 and living in dodgy temporary accommodation. Some have got nothing in life.’’

Tony has had some good success stories.

One teenage girl was on the verge of being kicked out of college. But he pleaded her case and she stayed, turned her life around and is now a youth worker.

“That makes it all worthwhile,’’ said Tony.