Bristol youngsters helping transform communities for the better

Youngsters who have helped to transform their local communities were recognised last night at an Oscars-style awards ceremony.

At the Community Transformers Awards, held at the Council House in College Green, five awards were given out as part of Safer Bristol's Community Transformers Scheme.

The scheme was introduced earlier this year and provides funding to young people to work with their local communities tackling issues such as crime and anti-social behaviour and to create safer, cleaner environments.

The winners of the award for the best project tackling anti-social behaviour or crime was the Hartcliffe Saints Football Team.

Under the leadership of local beat manager PC Matt McQuaid, 30 young people who have been involved in some anti-social behaviour in Hartcliffe are now involved in a football scheme. In return for being involved with the football team the young people are carrying out community work.

PC McQuaid said: "This is a big achievement for the team, considering we only started six months ago. The guys use this to keep fit and healthy, but also it teaches them some valuable life skills and helps get them into college or employment."

The award for best project transforming the local environment went to the Southmead Choices Programme, who were not able to attend the ceremony.

They are a group of young people from the Good Attendance Project at Southmead Youth Centre, who designed a new 'secret' garden for the elderly residents at the Woodnock warden-controlled flats. They redesigned an area that had been used as a rubbish dump, and then carried out the work required. The area now includes a bench, lighting, flowers and mosaics.

The young leaders from Blenheim Scouts won the award for making an impact on their community.

The Scout group at Cheddar Grove are opening their grounds for the wider community to use. They have created a mountain bike trail and archery course and have been successful in bids for funding to install facilities for toilets and drinks.

Team member Alex Burnett, 17, of Bedminster Down, said: "It is really good to be noticed. We have worked really hard on this, even building an eco-stage made out of recycled materials for the local community to use."

There were also two individual awards given out on the night – and both went to members of the Young Rangers team from Horfield and Lockleaze.

Lucy White was named Star Young Person, and group organiser Scott Jacobs-Lange was handed the award for Star Adult Support.

The Young Rangers, are a group of youngsters who have formed a community safety group concentrating on the parks in their area. Their project trains young people to use graffiti removal kits and they have since cleaned up benches that have been vandalised, making the parks more attractive.

Lucy, 12, of Horfield, said: "I didn't think I would win because lots of people were nominated. I have enjoyed what we've done and I think it has made a difference."

Mr Jacobs-Lange, 36, who works for the Bristol Community Housing Foundation, said: "It is nice to have the recognition but really this award is for the whole group and the hard work they have done."

For more information, contact Jenny Benson, community safety assistant on 07810 506968 or jenny.benson@bristol.gov.uk