Young Cumbria Celebrates ‘The Big White Van’

Through partnership working, with Cumbria Youth Support Services (Cumbria County Council), on 8^th July 

Young Cumbria celebrated the launch of their new mobile provision - a modified Volkswagon Crafter. It will mainly provide youth workers with a base from which to work in the rurally isolated areas of Allerdale and Copeland, where centre-based provision is not feasible or available, as well as being used at events across the County to promote the work of Young Cumbria.

The van is the result of a consultation with young people who came up with idea of a mobile provision unit after damage from flooding last year resulted in a lack of provision for young people in the Northside, Cockermouth and Keswick areas of West Cumbria. The main requirements were ‘somewhere to go and something to do’ so the young people applied for extra money from the Youth Capital Fund to purchase and modify a van in which they could meet, have fun and participate in group work.

Representatives from District Councils, County Council and Young Cumbria attended the official launch to watch Young People cut the red tape with Councillor Duncan Fairburn and Tony Cunningham MP. Young people were also interviewed by ITV Border news earlier in the day to report on its benefits.

Features of the van include:

- 6 movable seats which can removed completely or rearranged to face the same way or to face opposite.

- A table which can also be moved or taken out completely

- A fitted PS3 and games on Flat Screen TV

- Storage in the rear which can hold up to 5 bikes with extra space to carry bags or accessories

- An awning that pulls out to extend the space outside the van.

100 Mile Canoe Test

A National Event organised by Clubs for Young People

28th May 2010 – 1^st June 2010 on the River Severn from Welshpool to Worcester

Fifteen young people from Young Cumbria projects in Eden, West Cumbria and the South Lakes took part in the 100 mile canoe test alongside another two hundred young people from all over the country. Training sessions began in the spring term, in swimming pools, rivers and lakes; participants had to use their skill, determination and stamina to work towards the 100 mile target over four days of paddling.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for young people to take part in a challenge as big as this.

The Canoe test is a personal challenge, not a race and the achievement brought a sense of fulfillment that will remain with all the young people for life. The young people involved also achieved the BCU level 1 award and it was a great opportunity for staff across Young Cumbria areas to collaborate and share resources, skills and experien ce.

All the young people who took part deserve a big thank you for their determination and positive attitudes in the face of this difficult challenge. Young Cumbria staff worked incredibly hard to organize and complete this event, thanks especially to the drivers and camp staff, without them the trip would not have been possible .

Also a big thank you to Clubs for Young People staff who organized this event overall and made us new participants very welcome on the campsite and on the river.

We hope that we will be able to have a Young Cumbria   team participate in this challenge next year. Interested? Contact Luke Hale to be alerted when information is released.