Romsey Mill in a New Community
The small town of Cambourne is a relatively new community, built in the late 20th century, it generally consists of housing estates and green spaces- Not the most appealing scenery for a young person. I travelled to a youth group based in the town, run by the charity Romsey Mill to try and understand the issues young people face due to living in a new community, how Romsey Mill help and the charity's importance.
I decided to talk to the members of the youth group mainly so that I could really gather a comprehensive understanding of the issues that they think are important to talk about, with little to no influence from anyone else.
Once I got to the youth group I understood why it was appealing to a lot of people. The atmosphere was relaxed, they were able to play their own music, it was a lot warmer inside the building than it was outside and they were even able to cook snacks for themselves.
Overall, it seemed that the youth of Cambourne enjoy and appreicate the sercives that Romsey Mill provide for them. I did some research myself so that I could really get to grips with what Romsey Mill, as a charity, actually do and how they help and support young poeple in and around the Cambridgeshire area.
Their central base in cambrdige holds various programmes for young people. They run a youth group for young people with autistic spectrum conditions, a programme for supporting young parents and a pre-school. In addition to this, they aso run a youth group that is avalible in Cambourne and Cambridge.
The Aspire Programme is targeted towards young poeple with autistic spectrum conditions, it gives them a place to be able to socialise in an environment and at a level that they are comortable with. Activities often include cooking, playing games such as pool and table football and lego, this service is open to people who are aged nine to eighteen years old that have been diagnosed with high functioning autistic spectrum conditions.
It's clear that a lot of young poeple enjoy and even depend on the services that romsey mill can give to them. The chairty runs off mainly financial donations given to them from the public.
Their young parents programme focuses on supporting young parents and equiping them with the required skills during the prenatal and antenatal stages of parenthood. They offer training programmes that can give members litracy and numeracy awards along with home visits and support for young fathers aged twenty-five and below.
The youth group seems to be the most accessible, based in Cambourne and Peterborough, as well as Cambridge, they are conducted by mainly volunteers and allow teenagers to have a space of their own, giving one-to-one suport and activites such as cooking, socialising, listening to music and even recording their own music in one of the music studios, avalible in both Cambourne and Cambridge.
A common theme that I found was that a lot of young people said the town was extremely unstimulating and a lot of people tended to travel into the city of Cambridge for their entertainment. There seemed to be no shops to browse, apart from a large Morrisons and a small petrol station; so a very underwhelming amount of options. Along with a small local pub, which isn't very useful to a group of people who are mainly under eighteen year olds.
Slightly more alarmingly though, one member expressed how she was very aware that the lack of infrastructure means that employment rates are extremely low, recognising that this could definitely become a serious issue for her when she is older, should she decide to stay in the town. Another member also mentioned to me that he has noticed a slight rise in antisocial behaviour in Cambourne that is disproportionate to the size of the town.
The main causes for anti-social behaviour are lack of acitivity, poor education, unstable upbringing and bad social circles. The Romsey Mill youth group are focused in helping young poeple from disadvantaged backgrounds or those considered vulnerable to being involved in the criminal justice system. The youth group allows a calm, regulated atmosphere with people to talk to and support to combat these issues.
Out of all of the things Romsey Mill offered, the youth group seemed like it was the most used service. Running often, it provides essential support and information from topics ranging from sexual health to education options. It gives a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment for those that attend, which is so important.
With youth unemployment, crime, homelessness and reports of anti-social behaviour on the rise locally and nationally and youth service funds being cut it is imperative that communities do all they can to continue to provide services these young people.
To the right there is a graph showing the increase of knife related crime from the year 2014 to 2018, cited from the Cambridgeshire County Council. They have been reported to be a result from various different things, some gang affiliated, some due to drugs.
It is common knowledge that the causes of knife crime are social deprivation, low employment rates, drugs and gangs among other things. All of which are so intrinsically linked. It is important that the youth have the oppertunity to be part of a nurtering and safe environment that can try and prevent the cycle of criminality before it even begins.
Some of the causes for knife crime, antisocial behaviour and criminal damage (such as low employment rates, social deprivation and drugs) often occur in newer neighbourhoods, like Cambourne. Romsey Mill really recognise the issues that come with a new community and appreciate just how important it is to battle these issues before they progress into criminality.
Providing a neutral space in which people can feel safe and listened too is vital for intervenening in the cycle of crime. Offering education programmes, residentials and cooking it prevents the youth becoming caught up in criminal activity and combats the issues that arise in new communities by equipping young poeple with the right skills for living independently, socialising and getting a job.
Romsey Mill is a wonderful organisation that seems to be greatly appreciated by the young people that use its services. You can give a one off donation via their website or set up a regular donation. Even small amounts help.
