#iwill project cleans up Seaham beach.
Seaham youngsters have spearheaded a huge beach clean-up as part of a new youth-led project.
Teenagers who attend Dawdon Youth and Community Centre are turning their ideas for stronger communities into reality: with support from the #iwill Youth Social Action programme.
The funding programme, managed by County Durham Community Foundation, awarded £9,942 to the Youth Hub to give young people the chance to lead their own initiatives.
MichellenCooper, chief executive of County Durham Community Foundation, said: “It’s justnso great to see these young people making a difference in their community, andnputting their own ideas into practice in such a practical way. Young peoplenhave had a very tough time lately but it’s interesting to see how many arenbouncing back by thinking of others, thinking about what they can contribute.nThey’re an example to us all.”
The beachnclean-up, in early August, was organised by 16 young people, with a further 18njoining the efforts.
Thirty-sixnlarge bags of rubbish were collected with support from the Civic Pride team andnLitter Free Durham. Young people from the project have also arranged and takennpart in first aid training and become summer mentors for younger childrennattending the centre’s summer activities.
LaurennJefferson, 13, has attended the popular centre for years, and took part in allnthree projects under the #iwill funding.
She said:n“It’s always fun coming to the centre. I’m a lot more outgoing than I wouldnhave been and much more confident because I’ve joined in.
“I organisedna rugby session for the children and even though they didn’t really ‘get it’nthey had a lot of fun. We have arranged all sorts for them. A good mentor makesnthem smile and laugh but gets them to listen. I’ve been coming to the centrensince I was six and mentoring since I was 11. It never feels like work.”
JoannenBowen, youth and play development manager, at the centre, said: “This isna fantastic team of young people who arranged to clean up our beautifulncoastline in the wet weather. They did us proud and I look forward to theirnnext clean up mission.”
