A brand new Slough high-tech youth bus has rolled into town as a haven for all young people to relax, chill out and engage with one another in.
The new stylish bus.After consulting with young people in the town, Slough Borough Council revealed an unmet demand for positive activities for young people, as many are physically and socially isolated from appropriate youth provision and facilities.
The best thing about the Slough bus is, unlike a normal youth centre, it can travel around the borough so all young people can get the chance to use it and helps commit to the council’s priority of committing to the welfare of the towns children.
The bus will act as an information source, providing positive diversionary activities for youths, as well as advice and guidance on crime and anti-social behaviour, to help reduce the risk of involvement in criminal activity.
It also gives Slough police, youth workers, probation services, and the YOT the opportunity to engage with young people, provide advice and support as well as being able to give out information on other activities such as educational initiatives and programmes available in their area.
The youth bus will provide a valuable service to those hard to reach groups, vulnerable young people who currently have nothing to do apart from hang around on the streets causing anti social behaviour or just hanging around which in turn increases the fear of crime.
The Slough youth bus will:
* Enable young people to access youth provision, information, social education and advice
* Discourage crime, anti social behaviour and encourage working with different services such as YOT, youth services, police, parenting practitioners etc
* Offer choices and pathways of development to isolated young people
* Develop young people’s social skills i.e. self-esteem, communication and personal values
* Meet young people who have vulnerabilities and need help
* Help relive boredom thus working to elevate youth crime, anti social behaviour and drug dealing and misuse
* Help to break down barriers between different areas and youth groups in Slough
* Engage young people’s interest, participation and commitment in their local communities thus encouraging them to take responsibility of their own lives
* Provide opportunity for peer mentoring within other young people’s lives
* Where appropriate signpost young people to other youth provision that meets their needs e.g.; housing, careers, education
* Enable effective detached and outreach work and promote the safety of young people
Kam Bhatti, community safety project officer for Slough Borough Council, said:” We’re so excited about this new bus. It’s absolutely brilliant and very high tech. The young people are going to love it.
“It’s really important that young people in the borough have somewhere they can hang out and relax in a safe environment, without having to resort to hanging around the streets.
“The fact it’s mobile means that all young people in the borough will have the chance to be part of a youth club.”
Commissioner for Slough education and children’s services, Cllr Patricia O’Connor, said: “The youth bus is a fantastic idea and will be enjoyed by many young people in the borough. I’m really pleased that Slough now has a mobile youth centre so everyone can get a chance to use it.”
Slough Borough Council.
