Boscombe's arty youngsters get creative for children's rights

YOUNG people in Bournemouth’s most deprived area will take part in a unique and creative project to highlight the universal Rights of the Child.

Up to 30 11 to 16-year-olds will use drama, art, song, rap or dance during the week-long event in Boscombe’s Churchill Gardens.

Now the leaders, Bournemouth YMCA’s Young Citizens team, have urged members of the public to nominate youngsters to take part in the project, which starts on Monday, August 6 and ends with a performance in a marquee on Friday, August 10.

Called Behind the Scenes, its aim is to explore their creativity and take part in something they would not normally be involved in.

“It’s important to make sure young people’s voices are heard, irrespective of background” said local councillor, Christopher Wakefield.

And Glen Harvey from the YMCA said: “This is an opportunity for the young people of Boscombe to express themselves.”

The Rights of the Child include the right to a standards of living good enough to meet your needs, the right to relax, play and join in a wide range of activities and the right to be protected from dangerous drugs.

More than half of 0-15-year-olds in the area are defined as income deprived and 41 per cent of their older siblings and parents are unemployed, the highest in the south west.

To nominate a young person to take part in Behind the Scenes workshops or the Friday performance, please contact glen.harvey@bournemouthymca.org.uk.

Comments(10)

SFF says...
4:46pm Sun 5 Aug 12

I think this is great, but for my child he would not feel confident with only one week to prepare for a performance.

We need proper investment in children in Boscombe. That is why it is such a scandal to demolish the BCCA which could have provided education and opportunity in the Arts for the most deprived children in the whole of the South West.

It provided services for education for children for 100 years. Since its closure children can only hang out on the streets of Boscombe among the drug dealers and prostitutes.

The BCCA was gifted to the Council with strict covenants that it be used for education for the underpriviledged of the area.

If you think the arts are the way forward to help the children of Boscombe escape drugs and crime as a way of life, then why are you destroying the BCCA. It makes no sense.

Nice to have it for one week, but as I have said OK for kids who already have confidence to perform in front of others. They need activities all year round, particularly in the winter months.

bccafriends says...
8:28pm Sun 5 Aug 12

A recent report on facilities for children, adults and working creatives shows Boscombe has a clear lack of suitable facilities; far less than the population requires. Irrespective of that Boscombe Ward Cllr. Wakefield showed delight at the Planning Board meeting when they announced the demolition of the BCCA.
Whilst the initiative in the article is to be applauded, it is like so many in Boscombe to be held in temporary accommodation; for a short period only; or in acommodation which is an extremely small like an empty shop. Cllr. Wakefield would have done a great deal more for the "Rights of the Child" had he stood up and be counted on behalf of children when it mattered.
The law pertaining to Human Rights is one area that people living in horrendous conditions in Boscombe have yet to explore.

Liberty Belle says...
1:22am Mon 6 Aug 12

Okay. I'm a nit picker. But why in blue blazes do we use new speak like "income deprived" when we mean poor or (God forbid) underprivileged. Imagine Shakespeares' classic works redone in such ponderous prose (Lord, but I do love a good alliteration). ;)

Katherine Edgar says...
8:24am Mon 6 Aug 12

Wow..."up to 30, 11-16 year olds for one week"
Glen Harvey from the YMCA said: “This is an opportunity for the young people of Boscombe to express themselves.”

The Rights of the Child include the right to a standards of living good enough to meet your needs, the right to relax, play and join in a wide range of activities and the right to be protected from dangerous drugs.

Harvey and Wakefield, what about ALL OF BOSCOMBES CHILDREN, EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR?

Why do you support the demolition and asset stripping of the historic Boscombe Centre for Community and Arts? The BCCA was given in trust for "the education of the poor, deprived, manufacturing and working class Children and Adults of Boscombe, forever." The BCCA is a place of learning, creativity and well-being for All, built for the children of Boscombe 134 years ago and needed NOW more than ever, this is why over 3000 members, local Doctors, Teachers and Businesses support its re-instatement as vital infrastructure.

Katherine Edgar
BCCA Governor

Azphreal says...
9:49am Mon 6 Aug 12

'the right to be protected from dangerous drugs.' So hold it in the area of town where drugs are easy to get! How about spending some of the money that goes on stupid metal sculptures on the kids in the local area? Give them something to do other than hang around on the streets,open a youth club and some cheap sports clubs!

earthwise says...
10:28am Mon 6 Aug 12

Wakefield, him speak with forked tongue......
As do the rest of the Common Purpose minions.......
Our Children are not just for a week in August......
They are born with inalienable rights as are ALL of us.......ツ
BЄ Fʀєє x

s-pb2 says...
10:57am Mon 6 Aug 12

Why does every Echo piece involving Boscombe have to start with 'most deprived area'? Its as if the Echo are revelling in this!

And why are we describing the children of Boscombe as the most deprived? If they were that deprived and in any danger as people seem to suggest, they would be in foster care!

O'Reilly says...
11:20am Mon 6 Aug 12

Ah the insidious Common Purpose people doing what they do best.

GetInThere says...
9:00pm Mon 6 Aug 12

Katherine Edgar wrote:
Wow..."up to 30, 11-16 year olds for one week"
Glen Harvey from the YMCA said: “This is an opportunity for the young people of Boscombe to express themselves.”

The Rights of the Child include the right to a standards of living good enough to meet your needs, the right to relax, play and join in a wide range of activities and the right to be protected from dangerous drugs.

Harvey and Wakefield, what about ALL OF BOSCOMBES CHILDREN, EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR?

Why do you support the demolition and asset stripping of the historic Boscombe Centre for Community and Arts? The BCCA was given in trust for "the education of the poor, deprived, manufacturing and working class Children and Adults of Boscombe, forever." The BCCA is a place of learning, creativity and well-being for All, built for the children of Boscombe 134 years ago and needed NOW more than ever, this is why over 3000 members, local Doctors, Teachers and Businesses support its re-instatement as vital infrastructure.

Katherine Edgar
BCCA Governor
I agree with SFF. This is a great story. Heart-warming to see that youth arts will not disappear completely from Boscombe where it's so desperately needed. The YMCA do great youth work all year round but nice to see them stepping it up for the summer when so many other summer activities have been cut. Wish the Echo wouldn't keep using the word 'deprived' though but well done to all involved!

GetInThere says...
9:05pm Mon 6 Aug 12

p.s. not sure why my comment included Katherine's quote!

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