CLAPHAM YOUTH CENTRE design Vincent Dmytriyev
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In 2005 Clapham youth Centre celebrated its 40th birthday. Great and dear memories, whole families grew up around the centre. Forty years ago it was one of the outposts of youth work in South London and in all senses it still is.
The area around the centre has changed, the level of standards for public provisions has raised as well, but nothing seem to be able to replace the importance of a youth centre which through years has been transformed into a community centre.
Since January 2007 Clapham Youth Centre leaders and young people have been working on plans to improve the building of the centre, make it more accessible and better equipped for the expectations and needs of the local community.
Between 29 and 31 of May 2007 the centre hosted a consultation for young people. Often the word CONSULTATION and FUN does not go together very well. But we believe that we have succeeded.
It was the energy, enthusiasm and drive of the artists - Tom Wichelow filmmaking), Laura Cuch (photo collage) and Catherine Greig (visual artists) which made this experience both enjoyable and productive.
The results? Over thirty young people of the age 10 - 16 worked on the production of a short film, a photo collage and a series of models have been produced. All work will become a part of the development plan.
What the artists say:
Laura Cuch (photo artist)The photo workshop had its main objective to produce a photo collage. The collage used the images of the centre to create a model of the space. Young people cut and pasted images of objects they liked and associated with the present and the future programme.
Catherine Greig (visual artist). She worked with the young people on the models of spaces.
Key themes from all the work:
- Food – eating/ sharing food is important
- Ownership – having some artwork that is contributed by young people but this work needs to be on a big scale and not just ‘stuck on’.
- Photo wall/ finger print wall of everybody who goes to the centre.
- Recognising achievements – having a play to put up certificates.
- Having some small and secluded spaces for smaller groups (9/10 people) to chat in.