University of York students show community spirit
Posted on 22 May 2007
The students, from a wide range of disciplines, are carrying out a major consultation exercise in the Tang Hall area of York to gauge what services residents would like to see in their community. The exercise reaches its climax this Saturday (26 May) with a Drop In session at Tang Hall Community Centre starting at 11am.
We want people to suggest projects which they feel will best use our skills and time
Charlotte Leyland
The aim is to identify where local services can be enhanced through a raft of community projects, in which students will use their time, ideas and skills to benefit Tang Hall residents.
The Student Unit Consultation Group has already held discussions with a wide range of service providers, from social and youth workers to church leaders, councillors and head teachers.
They have distributed a questionnaire to households in the area. The Drop In session will give a chance to residents to share their thoughts on community services currently available in Tang Hall, and those that they would like to see in the future. Refreshments will be provided and all residents are welcome.
The new community-led services may be linked to the Tang Hall Children’s Centre which is due to open next year.
One of the Student Unit Consultation Group, Charlotte Leyland, said: "We want a long-term relationship with the community. We want people to suggest projects which they feel will best use our skills and time.
"We are asking people their views on services and where they can be improved. But there is no political agenda. We just want to put something back into the community where many of us live."
The project is supported by Juliet Koprowska, of the University’s Department of Social Policy and Social Work, and Ken Exton, Programme Manager for Children"s Centres of City of York Council.
Ken Exton welcomed the University’s initiative, he said: "The students’ ambition to develop community-led services fits well with the Council’s Children's Centres Programme. Sure Start Children’s Centres are part of a government initiative aimed at improving the life chances of all children. This national programme will see 2,500 Children Centres established across the country by March 2008, of which eight will be located in York. Sure Start Children’s Centres have an important role to play in ensuring that children under the age of five years get the best possible start in life. High quality early learning and care services, linked to adult learning, health care and family support services, will be planned and delivered in partnership with parents/carers."