Case Study | Detached work Thirlmere Park, Everton

What was the Issue?

Through Positive Futures detached youth work, youth development workers have identified that Thirlmere Park in Everton is in a particular poor condition and not fit for purpose. The park is used by young people and families in the area often. Feedback from residents including parents with young children is that they use the park despite the conditions due to the lack of alternative facilities available in the immediate area.  

Support that was offered

Positive Futures has consistently engaged with a group of young people local to the park who often hang out there. The young people’s language and behaviour suggests that they have a strong sense of ‘ownership/stewardship’ around the area, as they refer to it as ‘our park’. Engagement with these young people is of value and positive. Some of the young people have engaged with other services that Positive Futures offer, including summer programme, group work and offsite activates; others only engage with the service through detached. The positive dynamic between these young people and the service has now extended into the local community more, with parents and residents becoming more aware of Positive Futures. 

It is important to note that there are still groups of young people who Positive Futures have seen using the park but not engaged with. There appears to be some anti-social behaviour/vandalism. More work is needed to build a report with these young people. 

Outcome   

Building on the work highlighted above, Positive Futures are organising a focus group of service providers, residents and young people from the community around Thirlmere Park with a view to doing an initial community clean of the facilities. The broader goal is more ambitions however, and Positive Futures aim to generate enough community interest and desire to encourage and facilitate young people to a positive impact and change on how the amenities ties in the community are used 

Impact

There is opportunity to explore pieces of work around responsible stewardship and empowering young people’s voice in influencing changes in their local community