The Stamp Out Boredom youth engagement project run by the Resident Involvement team ran successfully for three weeks involving twelve young people who completed a series of tasks to get a reward each week.
The tasks were included a visit to the Houses of Parliament, healthy eating and living session with Chelsea Football in the Community, finding out more about their community through a treasure hunt and making a radio programme for Brooklands radio. They really enjoyed their rewards, going to see a youth production of West Side Story at Woking and lunch at Giraffe restaurant in Walton.
The RI team and young people were delighted that Dominic Raab MP came to present the certificates at the final presentation ceremony and had a great time at their final reward visiting Chelsea Football Club’s home ground Stamford Bridge.
We are continuing to work together with a lot of the young people from the project on other activities and Chelsea FC’s Goalz Project.
Jade Boyle who took part in the project said “I thought it was a fun thing and kept us out of trouble during the holidays, and we all had a laugh together and became quite close mates”
Reemo’s Youth Café @ Cromwell Community Centre, Walton on Thames
A group of young people who took part in last years Stamp Out Boredom Project worked with Rachael Smart, Resident Involvement Manager to bid for Surrey County Council Youth Opportunity Funding to set up a Youth Café at the Cromwell Centre in Walton-on-Thames. With support from Brian Whitehead, Neighbourhood Youth Worker from Surrey Youth Development Service, the RI Team and young people have been working hard over the last six months to set up the Café, design menus, learn how to cook the food and serve their customers.
The Café launched on Monday 26tH September with all of the community invited to find out what was on offer for the young people. Morrison kindly provided prizes for a raffle and the first prize of a Nintendo Wii was won by Dylan one of our youngest involved residents!
The Café has been busy since the launch and young people have enjoyed homemade Italian and American food and fun activities such as Mario Kart and Just Dance competition. If you over 12 years old then please come down and enjoy the Café on Monday nights from 6 to 9 pm at Cromwell Community Centre, St Johns Drive, Walton-on-Thames.
Elders Plot to Plate Project
For our older residents the Trust is supporting with RC Sheriff Trust and Walton Charities the Elders Plot to Plate Project that just its first round of activities. Sixteen art and writing workshops were held at 4 venues in Walton, Cobham and Thames Ditton.
The sessions were for retired people in the borough and149 people in total attended the workshops and a great time was had by all.
The art and writing sessions were followed by Going for a Song – sing along music sessions taking place throughout November and December.
The project is going to run for three years so if you would like to take part in art or singing based activities please contact the Resident Involvement Team.
Seeds of Light – Making Surrey Project
Artist Mary Branson worked with the community of St Johns, Walton on Thames over the three months to create the exhibition, 'Seeds of Light', part of the Making Surrey project, connecting craftspeople with communities within Surrey. Together they designed and made over 300 beautiful porcelain lamps, which are illuminated and embossed with glowing plant and seed designs-referencing the history of the area, which was formerly used as community allotments.
The lamps embody the spirit of the individuals within the project, the different shapes and sizes reflecting different personalities and characteristics, which when grouped together symbolise a community. The personal idiosyncrasies can be seen, but they serve to strengthen a powerful overall display. Porcelain as a material is thin enough for light to pass through, yet very strong. It gives a sense of being fragile, but is really quite robust.
Mary has worked with local residents, schools, community groups and projects including Walton Oak School, Rydens School, Sure Start's Mother & Toddler group, Elmbridge Housing Trusts' Stamp Out Boredom project and other members of the community.
The Trust is very proud to have been able to work with Mary and the community on this project, and everyone was excited to see the finished installation.
All the lamps were mounted on a raised plinth, forming an illuminated labyrinth, suggesting a path that is to be undertaken and a space to reflect on what have been achieved so far.
This was a real celebration of the community, and also was an opportunity for a unique one off work of art to be showcased in the area.
