A WESTBURY man is hoping that his ten year dream of creating a charitable scheme for young people will soon come to fruition.
Stephen Davies wants to set up a community youth project that would see young people involved in projects to benefit the community which they would be responsible for running themselves.
He hopes that by giving young people ownership of the projects, they will develop responsibility and self esteem.
He has already been offered the chance to work with Age Concern, whereby the group would be contracted to supply gardeners for elderly people.
Stephen said, “The project is all about building a future for these young people. Some people are academic and some have strengths in other areas. By giving the young people ownership of the projects it’s another step of giving them motivation. It’s also about building bridges in the community.”
Stephen hopes to be able to work with young people from schools who are not suited to an academic environment, or perhaps work with the probation service.
One unique feature of the project is that the young people would manage their projects themselves. Initially any profit generated would go into a kitty towards group activities and leisure outings, but after a while the young people would be offered the chance to start running the projects as businesses in their own right.
Stephen has worked on the project for ten years, and is now ready to move it forward.
He said, “I’m at the point where we’re ready to apply for charitable status and submit various grant applications. I’m now looking for volunteers to form a new committee and board of trustees.
“I’m really hopeful that this is going to finally come together. It’s been a lot of work, but everyone I approach says, ‘What a great idea’. I want to offer young people the chance to get involved with the sort of thing that wasn’t around when I was growing up.”
If you would like to find out more about the project, call Stephen on 07805 700149.
