Mutual respect is key to success of project as teenagers get ‘stuck in’
Youth diversionary project launched at Knowepark Primary School in Selkirk. Youths are given plastic bottles to cut up for recycling.
A GROUP of teenage boys in Selkirk are at the centre of a groundbreaking initiative which seeks to sew the seeds of harmony across the generational divide in the town.
The nine youngsters, aged 14 and 15, have, with the blessing of their parents, signed up for a so-called diversionary project which aims to reduce antisocial behaviour and improve the lot of householders who have reported numerous alleged incidents of noise, intimidation and damage to property.
The lads know they are by no means the only ones in their age group whose activities have caused consternation among older residents, particularly in the area around Curror Street and further up the town around The Bield residential home and Sainsbury’s.
Complaints about the playing of ball games, the dropping of litter and the use of bad language have been aired regularly over the past year at the open forum section of the community council.
And the need to address the issue of distrust between the generations peaked in November when Curror Street resident Dave Firth claimed the antics of youngsters playing in and around Knowepark Primary School were making life miserable for himself and his neighbours.
This galvinised the ongoing resolve of the police, the community learning department of Scottish Borders Council and the volunteers who run Rowland’s Dry Bar in West Port to come up with a solution.
And with the support of Selkirk Rotary Club, the 10-week diversionary project was born and, appropriately, it was at Knowepark that it took its first tentative steps on Tuesday.
“We don’t go out of our way to cause trouble, but we’re just looking for something to do,” said 15-year-old Pedro Corria who was happy to chat to The Wee Paper. “We realise it’s not cool to upset people and I reckon we all have a much better insight into how what we do is perceived and the impact it has on our community.”
That respect was fostered at a “restorative conference” held at Rowland’s last week when the youngsters came face to face with some of the older adults who had expressed concern over the behaviour of the town’s youth.
“We all learned a lot from that and the adults were, by and large, really quite fair,” said Greg Sandilands, also 15.
“I think they appreciated that there’s not much to do for our age group in Selkirk and we heard from them about the impact of antisocial behaviour and how upsetting it is for them.”
Greg, Pedro and the other teenagers were hard at work on Tuesday when they began a community project to revamp Curror Street by building a new eco-greenhouse – made out of around 1,500 plastic soft drink bottles which Knowepark janitor Bob Falconer has collected from the school grounds in the last four months.
They will also paint shelters and tidy up the garden area within the school.
A delighted Bob told us: “It’s great to see these guys, who are really role models for the younger children at our school, getting stuck in in this way. Funding is still to be worked out, but we are hoping to get the lads to help create a small dedicated area for ball games, complete with nets, in a fenced off area between the school and Anderson Road.
“That should address many of the noise issues which residents have complained about, such as balls being kicked up against the school walls well into the evening.
“Hopefully it will instill a sense of pride in what they have created themselves.”
The project will continue next week when the boys visit a young offenders institution to speak to incarcerated youngsters about the harsh realities of life behind bars.
The following week, they are due to undertake a fitness and healthy lifestyle seminar organised by the Scottish Rugby Union and several of the group have already signed up for organised sporting activities.
Other activities lined up include helping with ground maintenance at The Haining and taking part in mock interviews organised by the Rotary Club.
Rotarian and retired Chief Inspector Doug Forsyth commended the project.
“A lot of our members are businessmen with a real interest in helping the young people of the town develop the confidence and self-esteem they will need when they enter the job market,” explained Doug.
“This is just the kind of initiative which will help achieve that aim.”
Upon completion of the project, the youngsters will deliver a presentation on their experiences to an audience of family, friend and their peers.
And, as a reward, they will enjoy a day learning to ski at Hillend dry ski slope in Edinburgh at the end of the programme.
“There is an element of carrot and stick,” conceded PC Rachel Stevenson, the local integration officer for Selkirk and Earlston, who clearly commands the respect of her young charges.
“This project was launched not only to address the concerns of the community, but also to provide the youngsters with a sense of purpose and pride in the activities they undertake.
“The support of all the young participants has been tremendous and they can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Councillor Alec Nichol, SBC’s safer communities champion told us: “This is a very positive example of the benefits of good partnership working.
“It’s important to engage these youngsters and encourage them to be an integral and valued part of the Selkirk community.”
Mr Firth, too, said he hoped the project would be a success.
But he cautioned: “The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.”
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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