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Sudbury Hill Community Church presents
An evening of Christmas Celebration Carols by candlelight, kids’ dance and a variety of food and fun!
Sunday 19 December 2010, 5pm Sudbury Primary School Hall, Perrin Road (off Watford Rd.) Sudbury, Wembley, HA0 3EY For more info, visit: www.shcc-lcc.org.uk or call Pas. David Roy on 0759 5599733 Entrance is free. Come and join us
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THE BRENT MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2010
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ALL IN Aday’s
All aboard the youth bus
Jennifer runs a team of four youth workers who use the bus to get young people aged 11 to 19 off the streets, giving them the chance to meet friends, learn new skills and work towards turning their hobbies into qualifications. Formerly the tour bus of rock legends Status Quo, the double-decker has been transformed over the past six years. The lower level houses the driver and a seating area used for jewellery and arts and craft activities. The upper level is lined with internet-enabled laptops and a widescreen television. “When the bus comes into an estate, it’s like an ice cream van arriving,” Jennifer explains. “Young people who see it tell
their friends because it brings activities right to their doorsteps. “We offer different programmes depending on what the young people tell us. In the past, we’ve offered ICT classes, drug education, career education and workshops in music, film and journalism. My team always does outreach work and consults with local young people before the bus arrives; we’re not in the business of deciding what is best for an area.” The bus travels the whole of the borough and Jennifer plans its route in collaboration with the police and the council’s ward working and anti-social behaviour (ASBO) teams. “We go to the areas most in need. That might be an area without a nearby
work
The Equipped 2 Go youth bus is a converted rockstar tour bus that travels around Brent delivering activities and opportunities for young people. Running, maintaining and managing the bus is the work of Outreach and Detached youth work co-ordinator Jennifer Shaw. Interview by DANIEL STEADMAN. Photography ISABELLE PLASSCHAERT.
youth club or an area where lots of young people are congregating – not necessarily causing trouble, but complaining that there’s nothing to do.” Once the planning and preparation is done and the team arrive in the area, Jennifer is keen that all of the community see it as a home away from home. “The Equipped 2 Go bus is a massive asset for the borough and a lot of thought has gone into it. For any young person in Brent who doesn’t think there’s anything to do and any parent who’s scared of their children going too far from home; it’s a safe, welcoming and fun environment.” For more information, visit www.bmyvoice.org.uk/outreach DECEMBER 2010
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