Youth Shelter project completed - March 2017
The culmination of a nine year project has been unveiled in Church Litten.
Cllr Jones-Evans officially opened the youth shelter area on behalf of Newport & Carisbrooke Parish Council with representatives from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, the Lord Louis Library and the High Sheriff in attendance.
The project, spearheaded by Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, has transformed a redundant piece of grass into a useful area where young people can come together in a safe environment. The bus station area and library outskirts have been the subject of anti social behaviour for many years and the gathering of large groups of youths has seemed intimidating for the general users.
Two youth shelters have been installed with two pieces of exercise equipment alongside them that can recharge smart phones by pedal power. By installing equipment that has the ability to recharge phones it is hoped to encourage healthy behaviour in a fun and interesting way. The equipment has been positioned so any visitor to the area can access it without being involved with the pod seating area and this can allow a greater number of community users of all ages. The shoulder wheel is fully DDA compliant it is hoped to add additional pieces in the future to suit all age groups and abilities.
The community project, funded by Newport & Carisbrooke Parish Council with grant funding from Awards for All and an additional £4000 from the Police Commissioner Protecting People and Places Fund, has been a lengthy process with ongoing consultation between the potential users, the Library staff and the Police.
Cllr Jones-Evans said 'I am delighted that this project has been completed. It has been a long road but thanks to the help of a number of agencies, including the Police, we have been able to make this happen. I hope this will be an area young people can come to an enjoy safely for many years to come'
Newport & Carisbrooke Parish Council Awarded Funds for Youth Project
Newport & Carisbrooke Parish Council is a step closer to providing youth shelters and exercise equipment in Church Litten Park, thanks to an Awards for All Lottery grant of £8,666.
The project, which has been in the planning stages for a number of years, has been developed to provide a safe and friendly outdoor environment for young people to gather and relax in the centre of Newport. Consultation was carried out with young people and the Safer Neighbourhoods Team to find the right location and type of shelter.
The currently redundant area of grass in Church Litten will be transformed with two youth shelters and exercise equipment that can recharge smart phones by pedal power. It is hoped to start work early in the New Year and for the project to be completed by late Spring.
In addition to the Awards for All funds, a grant of £4000 has also been obtained from the Police Commissioner Protecting People and Places Fund with the Parish Council providing the remaining funds for installation and cosmetic work.
The Parish Chairman Councillor Julie Jones-Evans has been the driving force behind the project and said 'We are delighted to receive this very generous grant which will enable us to complete the project in one go and although this is primarily for young people, we hope all the community will enjoy the facility for years to come'.
