Our work with children

The immediate area served by Community Action Norwich ranks fourth out of 705 districts on the index of multiple deprivation for Norfolk 2000 child poverty domain.

 

Amongst the children accessing our services we see high levels of family breakdown, poor nutrition, anti-social behaviour, insecurity, distress, alcohol misuse, low self-esteem, under-achieving and risk of exclusion from school.

 

In the midst of all these issues are children as young as five desperately needing boundaries, fun, structure and consistency, approval and unconditional acceptance. Our desire is to ‘turn the tide’ by reaching out to children through our work in schools, and clubs, befriending them by believing in them and building relationships which will do them good, seeking to break the generational cycle and make a difference to those who are trapped by birth into this dysfunctional lifestyle.

 

All our work is based on choice. We offer children aged 5-12 years varied programmes including sports and arts, dance, drama, music, craft and multi-media activities, because above all we want those who come to our clubs to have fun.

 

Currently we run a weekly evening club which has been very popular and instrumental in keeping many children off the streets and involved in activities Children’s themed holiday schemes during Easter, summer and autumn include costume making, cooking, arts & crafts, singing, games and much more. Over 60 children from local estates have attended.

 

We have built some strong relationships with many of the children who use our clubs. Our focus has been to develop our work to meet their needs and above all give them some fun. The highlight of 2007 was our summer holiday club which included drama, music, craft, singing, games and a barbecue for the families, which was attended by over 50 people.

 

In the autumn we had a fancy-dress party where the kids played traditional games like apple bobbing, skittles and won bags full of sweets. The main point was to keep them of the streets on Halloween for their own safety and the peace of mind of many older people who live in the community.

  

We aim to

·        promote tolerance and teach children to live with difference.

·        raise self-esteem, which in turn will reduce the level of anti-social behaviour

·        build positive relationships with children through unconditional acceptance in a safe, structured environment.

·        help children and young people discover that consequences flow from unkind behaviour and lack of respect for themselves and others whilst teaching and modelling forgiveness

·        offer opportunities to make positive lifestyle choices including nutrition and conduct.

 

We have worked in the community for the past 15 years and have first hand experience in exploring the needs of the area and its residents. We have consulted with beneficiaries to understand their needs and voice their opinions using questionnaires and door-to-door surveys and a graffiti wall for children themselves to write, draw, paint or scribble what they would like to see happen in their community.

 

Our work in the community has stood the test of time where other similar projects have folded because of the challenging behaviour and cost of vandalism to the buildings used. One child alone has caused £2000 worth of damage to our building with an air rifle – it can be costly, but our staff and volunteers have made a long-term commitment to the children and young people and have a love for this socially disadvantaged community.

 

Those on our team have many and varied skills, enabling us to run a wide range of projects, other local agencies e.g. local schools, police, community wardens and social services readily endorse the quality and value of our work.

 

When delivering outcomes in the community, it is acknowledged that the benefits for one person can often translate into benefits for many. For example, a parent accessing a parenting skills programme will ultimately translate into benefits for all the family.

 

Our beneficiaries include: disadvantaged young people living in urban areas, ethnic minority groups, children and young people aged 14-25, those with additional needs, single parented families - often teenagers, people with drug/alcohol issues, individuals involved in the sex industry, pregnant teenagers and children residing in dysfunctional families. In any 12-month period, our programme work touches the lives of around 500 people.