Getting Involved in their Community
AAP young people recently learned how to get involved in the regeneration of their community via a project called ‘My Anfield, Our Liverpool’. This involved conducting a photographic evaluation of their community, gaining democratic awareness and attending meetings at Liverpool FC and Anfield Breckside Community Partnership.
Here’s what some of the participants had to say: ‘’ The idea for ‘My Anfield, Our Liverpool’ came about from conducting APIR with Ellen, Laurie and Lesley, and subsequently discovering their community concerns and aspirations. As a result of the project, the girls now have knowledge of how to influence the destiny of their community’’ Paul Windle, AAP Personal Advisor.
‘’I enjoyed listening and understanding about how my community is changing’’ Lesley Aspinwall, AAP young person.
‘’The advantages of having young people involved in the regeneration process are that it gives them and awareness of the structures and how they can influence strategic planning. It’s important to create in them an early knowledge of democracy and how it is important for their future. I believe young people need to have a sense of ownership of the community in which they live. It may appear that it is about regeneration of buildings and infrastructure, but it will at some point in the future ‘impact on their lives'’. Ruth Little, Anfield Breckside Community Council.
‘’It was great finding out about how to vote; we should have learned about this while we were at school’’ Ellen O’Connell, AAP young person.
‘'Regeneration is about building upon the strengths of an area's unique heritage in order to sustain a better future. The landscape and streetscapes that emerge are the neighbourhoods where young people will be living their futures. Being a part of shaping the regeneration of their areas is the best way of making sure that what is done will contribute to young citizens' well being.’’ Andrea Titterington, Programme Director, Liverpool Football Club.
‘’It was good getting the chance to take photographs of my community and showing people what we like and dislike’’ Laurie Carney, AAP young person
