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Barriers broken among town teens
Tuesday 10am A SUCCESSFUL scheme bringing teenagers together across the town is being repeated in Market Rasen with cash secured to extend the project to the end of 2010.
The Friday Night Project was a huge hit last summer, using music and film making as a medium for linking groups of town youngsters.
The idea was to take them off the streets, where they might otherwise have been drinking and causing a nuisance on a Friday night, and give them a sense of purpose. It was also a response to the closure of the youth centre.
The 27,000 award has come from the Community Safety Partnership which handles police funding for crime prevention measures, specifically to reduce alcohol harm, following a bid from West Lindsey District Council.
The project initially ran for ten weeks last summer but was extended to 30 weeks, during which time a successful band was formed which will be playing next Monday in a county band event.
Under The Friday Night Project 13 to 19 year olds from Market Rasen and surrounding area meet for two hours on a Friday night, with 35 teenagers signing up last year for sessions in rock and pop, DJing and film making. So far over the 30 weeks there have been 140 hours of free music workshops for local youngsters and one has secured a music course at college through his experience.
As well as forming the on-going band, an incisive DVD was produced on the perceptions of young people, crime and the lack of activities for them in the area, which will be available to view at the Mail's website.
The next 10 week phase starts in mid April, based at The Foyer where a second music room is being created to support it. Future plans also involve community performances and generation bringing events.
Hannah Taylor-Dales at The Foyer said the project had been 'fantastic'. "One of the greatest benefits is the integration, with barriers broken down between our residents and the teenagers in the town. It gives them something to do on a Friday night and an opportunity to mix socially in a relaxed and friendly setting."
Town police found their involvement 'significantly improved relationships between police and young people' and beat manager Rob Graves said it had been 'absolutely fantastic for the town'.
The initiative, which also involves the Ashleigh children's home, sprang from a young people's forum in 2006 on youth facilities locally.
District councillor Adam Duguid said, "There has long been a view that there is not enough for youngsters to do in Market Rase and so I'm delighted West Lindsey has been able to help by accessing this grant."
During Phase 1 of The Friday Night Project dozens of people of all ages were filmed as they gave their views on young people and facilities and activities for teenagers in the town. A public screening of this film will be arranged soon, but you can have preview the full piece by clicking here.
To comment on the film or get involved in the project please contact dawn@silverlingarts.co.uk. For more information regarding West Lindsey's work with young people please visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk.
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Weather for Market Rasen
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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