Streetspace

It's a big island

2011-07-14T16:57:00.001-07:00

We thought a boat trip around the island to see the sites would be great, but a three hours later tower blocks started to look the same, but very much liked the Crysler building and twisty building (we didnt get a guide book). Although long, That is not to say it wasnt a good trip, chilling on the river was a good way to spend the morning. Today was also NY food day, a cream cheese bagle for breakfast, A pizza slice for lunch and a burger for dinner. I recommend Mikeys just round the corner from East 19th and 2nd Ave. Plenty of walking again today but an afternoon in the cinema watching cars 2 (indis treat) was a welcome break. Into the sabbatical mode and just finished my fourth book and the first theology book. A bonus of staying with the Mennonites I found Yoder (the theologian not the Star Wars Jedi) and whizzed through What would you do? which included the great story of the Peace Cheif Lawerence Hart. but I have only collected 3 interviews.

new streetspace site

2011-07-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

StreetSpace has moved to www.streetspace.org.uk

The future of christianity streetspace edit

2011-05-18T12:53:00.001-07:00

Twitter

2011-05-06T12:14:00.001-07:00

Not sure i quite understand how it works but have Started tweeting mainly so I can meet people for coffee when traveling follow me at richardpassmore

Does Christianity have a future?

2011-04-12T08:46:00.001-07:00

The BBC thing is going out on BBC1 this Sunday at 10.25pm Called Does Christianity have a future - it seems it is quite a different programme from the one they described about the beliefs and values of Gen Y so i haven't a clue what we will look like in the edit. A link to a promo is here

Meet Them Where They're At

2011-03-16T06:04:00.001-07:00

Just to let you know that you can now download Meet Them Where they're At on kindle. You don't need a kindle to read it but can access kindle from most platforms, computers and smart phones. At the moment you can purchase via kindle for £20 less than you can get the book second hand on amazon.

Click HERE for the link

new site coming soon

2011-03-15T02:48:00.001-07:00

new website coming soon

BBC Documentary

2011-03-02T02:03:00.000-08:00

The BBC were filming Streetspace/Church on the edge yesterday. The programme is due to go out on Easter week probably Easter Sunday. The shift had changed from Gen Y and it is now presented by Ann Widecombe (wish they had told me that before!) and is a follow up to the series she did last year but looking at the future of Christianity. This was was interesting and slightly problematic as they used more christian language than I would ever use, as I talk about spirituality a lot rather than christian words which can be loaded and our aim is NOT about getting young people into church. So they asked some the young people what they thought when I when I told them I was a christian, (which I don’t think I ever have in that way) but I explain the project is about personal social and spiritual development before we get to stage 5 with groups. So it will be interesting to see the results.

New fast game

2011-02-18T14:02:00.001-08:00

New fast game available next week with new stories, abs and flow, Bling, adventurer only £16 plus p&p pre order via email or visit www.fastgamelite.blogspot.com

New fast game

2011-02-18T13:58:00.001-08:00

New fast game available next week with new stories, abs and flow, Bling, adventurer only £16 plus p&p pre order via email or visit www.fastgamelite.blogspot.com

Training'zine

2011-02-16T08:19:00.001-08:00

We are developing a new Training'zine for StreetSpace to train up young community activists. Devided into three sections Training'zine, Policy'zine and Info'zine the aim for a resource that can be used at the skate park etc with young people

Trying out new image for Hear my Voice

2011-02-07T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hear my Voice is a silent witness political action that builds on M and M's when young people have been asked to consult, they will wear a HMV placard and attend meetings when what they have been consulted on is being discussed.
I have been working on a new placard what do you think?

Venn Diagram Review

2011-02-02T02:27:00.000-08:00

We did a venn diagram review last night at Chard M and Ms with three circles around the aim of the project (Personal and Social and Spiritual development of young people). We listed 20 activities we had done with the young people in StreetSpace over the last six months and asked the yp to put them into the venn diagram as they thought they connected.

I was nervous about the differentiation of the three areas, but the exercise worked well, with several activities in the centre of the diagram to denote it was about all three. The best surprise of the night how many yp balanced the activity across the three areas. Not sure what this says about Gen Y and indifference to spirituality.

You can find a copy of the report here

New post

2011-01-07T02:06:00.000-08:00

Frontier Youth Trust is seeking a dynamic, experienced and entrepreneurial individual to join the growing StreetSpace project. It is a combined research and networking role recognising that the best responses to challenging poverty often come from the bottom up, and that by sharing learning, expertise and resources, opportunities to impact policy and improve local work can emerge.

The post is for two days a week (for three years renewable annually) and is in partnership Church Urban Fund. The post holder will be expected to work from home and must be able to travel throughout the UK. The salary is between £20000 - £22000 pro rata depending on experience and qualifications.

For more an informal conversation about the role please telephone Richard Passmore 07830197160.

For an information pack and application details please contact: Leanne Youngson, Frontier Youth Trust, Office S15b, St. George’s Community Hub, Great Hampton Row, Newtown, Birmingham, B19 3JG Tel: 0121 687 3505.

The deadline for applications is 31st January 2011 and Interviews will take place in Bath on the morning of February 8th 2011

Scotland

2011-01-05T09:51:00.000-08:00

Here are my plans for next weeks trip to Scotland I still have a bit of time Monday PM and Wednesday late afternoon if anyone else wants to hook up

Monday 10th Jan
AM- Glasgow - Meet up with Laura Hopkins in Bishopsbriggs
PM - Drive to Aberdeen

Tuesday 11th Jan
AM - meet up with Dan Robertson and Blue Horizon in Aberdeen
PM -Meet up with Hot Choc people in Dundee

Wednesday 12th Jan
AM - Meet up with James and Sidewalk in Perth
PM - Drive to Glasgow
EVE - Glasgow Pub Theology and Pulse Rate research (TBC)

Thursday 13th Jan
Early flight home

Two New Links

2010-12-13T02:19:00.000-08:00

There are two new links being added to the side bar.

The first is the Church Urban Fund's Ready to Go projects, which includes a page on StreetSpace as well as other great projects.

The Second is the result of a recent M and M's consultation on Government cuts, this gives the views of young people about the cuts to the youth service and is a good example of the way we can creatively consult young people about changes in their community.

Pulse Rate research

2010-11-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we did a bit of what I term pulse rate research, which is a snap shot of the things important to the young people we work with by collecting single words. I then asked the young people to theme their words and one theme was Adventure. So I wrote THIS STORY to see how people engaged.

Sixth month report

2010-09-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

It has been an exciting and speedy start for StreetSpace. Whilst we expected demand to be high, based on our conversations and research, we could not have anticipated the level we encountered. Since starting full time in the role in April, nine projects have been established or formally linked with StreetSpace1 and we have another 31 enquiries to follow up. In addition to this a presence at the Greenbelt festival over the August bank holiday has generated further enquiries.

Initially we needed to develop an appropriate structure to respond to the diversity of requests for support. This ranged from projects wanting to set up distinct StreetSpace projects, projects wanting partnerships to start detached work in their area and projects wanting missional coaching and advice. Therefore, as well as the license agreement process which is used for new StreetSpace projects and partnerships, we developed StreetSpace Alongside where groups can become part of the network and gain support at the level they need. It is anticipated that around 20 workers will come together for our first gathering as a network in March 2011 however funding is still being sought to facilitate this.

Initially work needed to be done on shaping the policies and paperwork from the local pilot projects to service the national organisation. Training programmes were developed, and publicity and web presence were established. StreetSpace was then formally launched at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity on June 23rd 2010. The work since then has been following up project enquiries, supporting the new emerging projects and seeking to develop some strategic national links with denominations and organisations. This has proved effective with good links with 3 of the main denominations established and The Church Urban Fund has provided a £5000 bursary to help projects in marginalized communities to access StreetSpace.

In July 2010 the FYT team met together to write a full training programme for StreetSpace, this is currently being edited and will be available to projects in their second year with StreetSpace. The skills and expertise we are developing with local project leaders will be disseminated into the wider local teams. The groundwork put into shaping and structuring StreetSpace has also paid dividends. It has enabled us to respond quickly and effectively to local needs. Our Southsea project Coolbox went from enquiry to starting contact with young people in just under 8 weeks and they are now in contact with good numbers young people. Through the local projects we are already coming into contact with huge numbers of young people and hopefully through our support and monitoring processes this work will be about quality engagement that goes beyond headline statistics.

1 See map for spread of projects and localities

Smarter Working

2010-09-09T04:23:00.000-07:00

I wanted to try and work a bit smarter with traveling etc for StreetSpace/FYT and catch up on several projects at once

So here are few dates I will be traveling if you are in the area or and hour or so away and want to hook up give me a ring or email me.

27/28 Sept London
1st Oct Salisbury
4/5 Oct Oxford/Reading
11-15 Oct South west
18-22 North
27-29 Oct Birmingham/Midlands
1st Nov Bristol
10-12 Nov North east of London, Cambridge, Colchester
also wondering about Scotland sometime around last week Nov/fist week dec

Weston Super Mare

2010-09-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

StreetSpace in Weston super Mare has got a new local website up and running. Check out their work here and discover a great investment opportunity

Charity ride

2010-08-23T02:12:00.001-07:00

Kevin Pearce who is linked in with StreetSpace Chard is going on a charity cycle ride coast to coast. He will be riding with some work friends and completing a stage of the TOUR OF BRITAIN.

You can find out more details on Kevin's ride here and sponsor him or click here to see the route map.

Check out the hills and route and you will see why needs sponsoring!!!

Map of Projects so far

2010-07-29T04:33:00.001-07:00

Click here for a map of new and emerging StreetSpace Linked projects

Open Day July 3rd

2010-07-09T08:15:00.001-07:00

Community EVENT

2010-07-01T02:05:00.000-07:00

11am - 3pm Saturday July 3rd

Chard Skate Park
Henson Park
Chard

FREE ENTRY

Chard park photos

2010-06-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

For photos of the new chard skate park check these out from KPbmx

Calling the community of Chard and surrounding area

2010-05-21T02:39:00.001-07:00

StreetSpace working with Chard Town council are inviting local community groups and charities to come and be part of a fun day to celebrate the completion of the work on the Skate park and surrounding area on July 3rd 2010. The whole area has changed with the new lights, skate park, cycle path and redevelopment, and has a more open and community green feel. The fun day will build on this and is hoping local groups will come forward and use the opportunity to fundraise for their cause and contribute to making the day work.

Local groups and charities are invited to attend the day and have a stall in the tradition of the summer fete. This could be a smoothie or ice cream stand, tombola, dunk the mayor, bash a rat, bric a brac, plant sale etc. If any local groups want to attend the day they must provide their own stands, equipment etc and book a place in advance by emailing admin@streetspace.org.uk or ringing Richard on 07830197160

Richard Passmore says “after all the hard work it is time to celebrate, and we hope as well as all the competitions and official opening, the day will have real summer fete feel. I hope local groups take the chance to raise money for their good causes whether that is a recognised charity, carnival club, local football team or whatever, the more the merrier ”

The day will run from 11am - 3.00pm and the Skate and Bike Park will be opened by The High Sheriff Mrs Patricia Hunt JP. There will also be sports and games events in the Multi use Games Area, Skate and Bike Competitions, a Bar-be-que and a whole host of activities for the whole family .

National Press Release

2010-05-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

NEW PROJECT HITS THE STREETS RUNNING
StreetSpace the new initiative from Frontier Youth Trust (FYT) that started in April 2010 has already started to grow rapidly.

StreetSpace an initiative from Frontier Youth Trust to support, grow and develop new detached youth work and community based youth projects has already expanded into five new areas, and has had over 30 enquiries from local churches, organisations and individuals requesting support.

FYT in partnership with Church Missionary Society piloted StreetSpace in the South West and has already been recognised by Demos the think tank, local councils, Fresh Expressions, national organisations and internationally for it’s innovative and creative approaches to mission and community engagement. FYT secured a grant from the Jerusalem Trust to roll the project out across the country, and Richard Passmore who oversaw the pilots, was appointed full time to develop this in April 2010. Further funding is required if FYT are to hit their ambitious target of developing 36 projects in the next three years, but the work is certainly off to a flying start.

Dave Wiles (CEO of FYT) says, “We are thrilled at the response to the launch of StreetSpace, it affirms our view that there is a new wave of Christians who are committed to meeting young people where they are and showing them, as well as telling them, about a God who cares for all, especially those who are too often left out.”

StreetSpace is able to support projects in a variety of ways from ‘missional coaching’ and mentoring to complete project development with: training, sample policies, paperwork and appropriate processes to get new initiatives going.

Richard Passmore says “many projects are good at engaging with young people initially but then struggle to move the work on; this is one area where we can really help. Another key theme that seems to be emerging for us, is in helping projects negotiate the tricky balance between the missional/servant heart that many Christians have in their communities with some of the current funding streams and local council partnerships that are available.”

StreetSpace will be formally launched at London Institute for Contemporary Christianity on the 23rd June 2010. Richard will be speaking at LICC on 23rd June as part of their Young Disciples series. This morning session will be followed by lunch and the national launch of the StreetSpace initiative which will include a short session exploring how sometimes our current theology inhibits missional approaches and StreetSpace’s response to this. This will finish by 2.45pm to give people time to make it home for the England Match! If you would like to attend morning session or the whole day there is a charge of £10 and this will begin with pastries, coffees and juice at 9.45. The teaching sessions will begin at 10.30. Please contact mail@licc.org.uk to book a place. If you would like to attend lunch and the Launch this is free but to help with catering please book a place via email admin@streetspace.org.uk

-ENDS-ENDS-ENDS-ENDS-ENDS-ENDS-

More News

2010-04-09T02:12:00.000-07:00

Here is the front page of the local news about our news

StreetSpace ramps up over 80k for local project

2010-03-31T02:19:00.000-07:00

We have just heard we received big lottery funding £49999 for the Skate park in chard. In total this means StreetSpace has raised over £80000 with the young people to improve the area. Full a full press release and to see how the young contributed go here

Good News

2010-03-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

No news is good news.

Video on Skatepark

2010-03-12T10:06:00.001-08:00

Video about Changing the local community space.

Ottery St Mary

2010-03-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

Great to be with people at Ottery last night and see the enthusiasm for new project. If we can help in any way do get in touch. If you are visiting the site to find out more, most of the links are on the right hand side and you can download information from there.

If you want a copy of the slides then just click here

How Young people describe StreetSpace

2010-02-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday mite be different

2010-02-03T02:14:00.000-08:00

FYT have posted a collection of creative and at times wacky ideas for a church service based on the Widows mite. If you are interested please visit HERE for a download of a heap of creative ideas.

Please text ‘mite’ to 82540 to enable FYT to launch 36 StreetSpace projects working with young people on the streets over the next 3 years. Your text will cost £1.50 plus one standard message and FYT will receive at least £1 of this. Thank you!

More use of skate park

2010-01-04T03:09:00.000-08:00

Now the lights are in the skate park is getting very well used. I guess people were trying out all their christmas presents. Please santa can we have some new ramps next!
(photo from KP)

M and Ms

2009-12-02T00:26:00.000-08:00

Great night at M and M's last night the young people wrote some great letters to support the Changing spaces bid. Dave our independent referee interviewed 15 of the young people, with a mix of questions including one on each of the ECM outcomes and everyone completed a questionnaire. Two ladies eating in an adjacent table were so impressed by the work and the focus of the young people they gave us £10 towards the meal and the Taste of India (formerly the Ghandi) offered to help with catering when we do the launch event if we win the £50K from Changing Spaces (lottery) grant.

Widows Mite

2009-11-24T03:57:00.000-08:00

Help get StreetSpace Launched across the country and spread the word of the Widows Mite appeal.

You can help by:

Texting yourself
Joining the face book group here and telling you friends
Giving an announcement in your church and asking people to turn on their phones.
Put a link on your blog or twitter.
Do a local press release or put THIS in your church newsletter
Adding the text below as your email signature

Please text 'mite' to 82540 to enable FYT to launch 36 StreetSpace projects working with young people on the streets over the next 3 years, your text will cost £1.50 and FYT will receive at least £1 of this - thank you!

Streetspace Launch - Weston-Super-Mare

2009-11-23T04:45:00.000-08:00

Tonight (23rd November) sees the launch of Streetspace Weston, the launch is being held at YMCA, 2 Bristol Road Lower, Weston-Super-Mare @ 7.30pm. If you are interested in the work of Streetspace and what will be happening in Weston feel free to pop along.

logo search

2009-11-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

we are looking for a new logo or redesignof the cog with a higher resolution and somehow incoroprating the FYT logo. At the moment the options we are playing with are below ( i think it could work to have Streetspace Youth project written on the wall below) and the current logo above.

Chard Video 7th Nov 2009

2009-11-09T12:59:00.000-08:00

Cheeze posted a video of the trip on saturday HERE

Chard Skate Trip

2009-11-04T23:37:00.000-08:00

Don't forget your consent forms and £10. Meeting at the usual place at 8am and returning in the evening. Bring a packed lunch/tea and some extra money if we stop for food on the way back.

DEMOS and NCVYS

2009-10-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

Community empowerment is one of the policy priorities for the Speaking Out project (developed by the National council for voluntary youth services) 2009-10. To inform thinking in this area, Speaking Out commissioned the think tank Demos to conduct a scoping study into community empowerment issues relating to children and young people. Streetspace was used a model of good pratcice in the area of empowerment and particularly through our M and M's (Meals and Meetings) project.

A full report by the Demos think tank is available HERE

Chard Lottery stage 1

2009-10-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

We just heard this week that our bid for ramps (£50000) for the skatepark has made it through stage 1 of the lottery process. The amount of paperwork to get through stage 2 seems quite intimidating but they will provide a facilitator to help and Lori our administrator is fantastic so all should be well.

Getting ready for growth

2009-09-24T04:37:00.000-07:00

We are in the process of preparing new information for local projects as we are getting new enquiries every month. We hope to upload some more supporting information soon, in the meantime please checkout the side bar for general info on the project and how to get involved or to contact us.

Weston

2009-09-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Streetspace Weston is coming on line soon. If you know anyone who may be interested in volunteering to do some detached work alongside some great people already in place get in touch. We are planning on training November 2nd 2009.

what you see is not what you get

2009-07-24T03:23:00.000-07:00

This week on detached we were hanging around in the youth shelter chatting as usual. We listened and they talked about sweets, and granparents and the importance of family, about getting a job with a steady wage so you know where you are rather than the add hoc work one had been doing, they spoke about needing to be motivated not like XXX, they spoke about the lack of summer, they spoke about finishing the training even though they werent getting much money, they talked about death and joining the army, they talked about celebrating someone leaving for a job, they talked about the need to be prepared for the things you are going to do, they talked about the weather some more......... As we wondered back to the car my collegue pointed out if you looked back at the group hanging out, laughing loudly you would likely think what a bunch of.................

Consulting Young people

2009-07-17T02:14:00.001-07:00

At the request of the Town Clerk we have consulted with some young people on the community woodland/cycle track being developed. We discussed it with three groups 3 groups. The feedback was the same from the three groups, and that it could provide a great provision for those into mountain bikes, younger riders and older alike. The basic idea would be if it was possible to curve the main cycle track in places and then to place ramps inbetween. Imagine an $ path through the woodland - hope that makes sense but it is hard to explain.

This could keep the normal track safe for others and give added value to families and encourage the whole family group to use it as the young people said they wouldn’t mind tagging along with parents if it had these jumps as an option.

Skate Trip

2009-07-01T02:55:00.000-07:00

Streetspace Chard

2009-06-22T13:33:00.001-07:00

Trip to Barnstaple skatepark tomorrow. Leave 9am back about 8pm

Planning Granted

2009-06-03T02:40:00.001-07:00

Full planning permission was granted to the young people to go ahead with the lights for Chard Skate park and MUGA. Well done to all involved especially to those who did the questionnaires with local residents and community consultation events.

Streetspace gets the vote!

2009-04-23T01:09:00.000-07:00

Last night saw the second annual Opportunity Chard event which gives local projects and organisations the opportunity to pitch for three minutes in a bid to win people's vote to get a share of some District Council Funding. 2o Organisations were involved including Streetspace, who's pitch was given by one of the young people involved in the skatepark project.

After an interesting evening we came out on top with over 90 votes and well ahead of the next organisation which polled around 57 votes. The young people staffed stall with displays about the work, coining the slogan "a vote for us is a vote for progress" quite where this came from I am not sure. But hey it is a youth led project.

Our funding was for ramps for the skatepark, building on the work already done.

Whilst the voting system isn't perfect and mitigates against some community groups that may be less organised, or put off by the need to do a presentation in front of a couple hundred people, it does show the town is firmly behind Streetspace.

Streetspace Open Meeting

2009-04-06T03:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who attended the our open meeting last Tuesday night, it was a great success (and some fab desserts as well). For those of you who would like to know the answers to the quiz here they are (answers are in yellow):

1. What is relentless?
a. A band
b. A drink
c. A clothing brand

2. What is the kingpin?
a. Skate board part
b. The local drug dealer
c. The best at 10 pin bowling

3. What time do the gates shut at Focus?
a. 8pm
b. 8.30pm
c. 10pm

4. What is M and M’s?
a. 1970’s TV quiz show
b. The local nightclub
c. Meals & Meetings

5. How much have the young people
in Chard raised towards the skatepark renovations so far?
a. £2,800
b. £16,800
c. £26,800

6. Roughly how much does it cost the average 18 year old to insure their car for a year?
a £1400
b £900
c £600

7. What is the minimum wage for a 17 year old?
a £5.53
b £3.53
c £4.53

8. According to the young people we asked, what do they like best about living in Chard?
A. Tesco
B. Focus
C. Skatepark
D. Friends/people
E.Pinar’s (takeaway) !

Somerton

2009-03-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Preparations are nearly completed to start an intial pilot project in Somerton. Laura Knapp will lead the team there and undertake some intial work to see if the requests we have had to kick something off match with the needs.

Watch this space for more details

Current Face to Face work

2009-02-18T02:42:00.000-08:00

Through regular detached youth work on the streets we chat to young people, build
relationships and help out where needed. At present we do this in Chard (in partnership with Chard Churches together) and in Ilminster (in partnership with Monks Yard), with requests to expand into other areas.
Working on specific projects, for example in Chard, we have been working with the young people to obtain lighting, extend, and get new equipment for the local skatepark so that it can be used during the winter months. Here the young people helped with fundraising, research, planning and talking to other organisations in the town including the local town council.
ASBO’d young people get a lot of bad publicity which research shows distorts adults views, so when young people do something good in the community we recognise this with an alternative ASBO.
We also organise regular activities, day trips and residentials to develop the groups and relationships. This includes initiatives such as M&MS (Meals and Meetings), an original concept where during the winter months we meet up with the young people at a local restaurant so that we can maintain links with them during the darker evenings.
We are also undertaking action research into how young people would shape and define an expression of church relevant to them. This is part of a Frontier Youth Trust Flagship project called Church on the Edge, in partnership with Church Missionary Society, Diocese of Exeter, and local churches.

Streetspace

2008-11-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Streetspace, a voluntary organisation working with young people on the streets through detached youth work, undertaking research into street based approaches to engaging young people at risk, and delivering training and consultancy on engaging young people in the community.