On a chilly winter evening in Peckham, the wind howls outside the Damilola Taylor Centre while rain drums on the glass roof. Inside, a group of teenage boys engage in a spirited basketball game with youth workers from the Active Communities Network, who oversee the ‘My Ends’ program in Southwark.
Sammy, a 14-year-old participant, expresses how traveling to the center has positively impacted him, despite the long journey. Each teenager present that night is aware of Damilola Taylor’s tragic story and the significance of the place where they play basketball, resonating with the fears they harbor even 25 years after the young boy’s untimely death.
Peckham’s Labour and Co-operative MP, Miatta Fahnbulleh, acknowledges the lack of safe spaces for young people, highlighting the pressing need for accessible youth services. Fahnbulleh, also a minister in the Communities department, aims to ensure that by 2035, no child in Peckham will be more than a 10-minute walk away from a youth facility.
The government’s new youth strategy, unveiled by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in Peckham, emphasizes investing £500 million in enhancing youth services nationwide. This initiative includes plans to construct or revamp 250 youth centers and establish 50 ‘Young Futures Hubs’ offering career and mental health support.
Fahnbulleh stresses the importance of combating youth loneliness, attributing its rise to the decline of communal spaces due to austerity measures. The Co-op Party echoes these sentiments, advocating for inclusive and youth-driven initiatives to strengthen communities and tackle the loneliness crisis affecting young people.
In Peckham, efforts to provide safe spaces for young individuals extend beyond physical locations like the Damilola Taylor Centre to the invaluable work of organizations like MyEnds Southwark. Volunteers like Omar Mohamed play a critical role in guiding and supporting youths, countering negative influences and fostering a sense of purpose among them.
Participants of the basketball sessions at the center share how the supportive environment has positively influenced their lives, instilling a sense of determination and belonging. Their testimonials underscore the transformative impact of accessible youth services and the ongoing commitment to ensure every young person in Peckham has easy access to such resources.
Fahnbulleh remains steadfast in her pledge to create a lasting change, envisioning a future where young people can readily access essential support within their communities. The collective goal is to empower youths, foster resilience, and build stronger, safer neighborhoods for generations to come.