Youth Birthday Celebrations

Coincidences are always interesting. Sometimes they seem like a sign; sometimes like a psychic link.

So, what are the chances I had the opportunity to write about the birthdays of two West Dunbartonshire organisations set up to help the youth of the area in the same issue of Clydesider magazine?

That is what we have here. That the two are linked is perhaps less of a stretch.

The focus of this article is Haldane Youth Services, who are 20 this year. Tullochan Trust is 30.

Twenty years in which they have grown from a single project created with the support of Fiona Stuart and Tullochan Trust.

Early Days

The first project Hop Skip and Jump was a response to the need for P4 to P7 youngsters to have a place to go, things to do.

Here they enjoyed music, art, drama for fun days.

It was such a success it is still going strong.

In fact, it grew.

As the kids needed things to do in the off-school days a new project, Ur-Turn, was born.

Carolyn Mackie - volunteer turned youth worker, and current Project Manager, says: “HYS has grown entirely from the needs voiced by our community and by the young people who use our services.

“This remains one of our greatest strengths.

“We listen, we are told what is needed, and the whole organisation works together to respond and provide it.”

A quick run-down of the history bears this out.

The original club, HYS began in 2006 with the formation of a Committee of local people, some of whom are still there today.

By 2009 HYS was working over five days with more than 50 regular attendees.

The little club born of a pressing need became a real organisation.

Deprivation to Development

According to national data Haldane was an area of deprivation with marked levels of anti-social behaviour amongst older youths and in families.

This concern prompted the first co-ordinator, Clare Davis and project assistant Ross McPherson to launch a Breakfast Club.

This too proved to be a major success and is still on the go, as is its follow-up the Lunch Club.

I spoke to four of the young participants. They were all enthusiastic.

“It's great to have breakfast every day with friends,” was one comment that seemed to echo the consensus.

“I'd like to come every day,” was another repeated opinion.

“I love toast with lots of butter, and I'll be having cake later, because it's my birthday,” another told me.

Along with the concept of each development, each new project or service, another fact emerged - one of continuity.

Jodie Mullen started as a service user, then continued to attend as a volunteer.

Now two years on HYS are helping her work towards qualifications she needs to achieve her ambition of working as a child support worker.

“I just love coming here, I love working with young kids. Being here, seeing them happy makes me happy too.”

That seems to embody the attitude of all those I spoke to.

Making A Difference

Nor is Jodie alone.

Both Youth Workers came through the same route.

Jack Martin started with HYS as a service user.

“Back then it was tough times in Haldane. It was amongst the bottom 5% of most deprived areas in Scotland.

“For guys like me, HYS clubs were all we had to help keep us on the straight and narrow.” He says it with a smile, one that says I'm happy with my choices.

Jack's colleague Chloe at the Breakfast Club echoed the pathway and the sentiments.

“The breakfast and lunch clubs really make a difference. They don't cost parents anything and give the kids a good start to their day. It's hard to concentrate if you're hungry.”

Did they find it difficult to transition from one of the group, a friend, to the supervisory position?

“It is something you have to get into your head, move back from friendships, but for a lot of the young people it's a good thing. It helps them to open up knowing you've been where they are.

“Coming through all the stages gives you a really good perspective of the needs and difficulties,” Jack agrees.

Needs of the Community

Understanding the changing or growing needs of the community they operate in and for, as well as the social trends that affect the young people and families is the driving force, the true imperative that moves HYS forward.

Families said they needed support for younger children and the Mini-Hoppers project was created for Primary 1 to 4, while Project 7 helps with the transition to high school for P7 youngsters.

After the pandemic – with so many having missed the essential social transition in school, the club was opened to include S1 and S2s.

HYS is a very dynamic organisation.

Another example? U-Turn, a group for young people 15+.

When the attendees wanted to organise an outing to YouthBeatz in Dumfries they were faced with the need for funds.

They came up with the idea of sponsored activities and took part in the Kilt Walk to raise the money to go which the young people decided would go into a communal pot shared between all in the group.

Future Foundations

HYS is currently looking into expanding the group to include 18+ so they have continuity.

“It's important we give both the young people and the families as much continuity as possible. A social vacuum is difficult to deal with, risky even,” Carolyn explains.

As Jack Martin tells me at Breakfast Club: “The young people of the area have a real every day need of alternative things to do, to help protect and support them away from the always available, even pushed, negative behaviours.

“If we get it right, you will always remember your youth worker.”

And HYS always welcome volunteers - Carolyn is always available for a chat on what they need and what to expect.

She adds: “Haldane Youth Services may not reach everyone, some refuse what's offered, some try and leave, but I think the whole community knows we are here for them.

“Like me, those of us who work and volunteer in our projects have a passion for young people and really believe the best thing we can do is give our youngsters a good base for their future life.”