Article by Tilly Walder of The IW Observer.
The Bay Youth Project (BYP) was launched in early 2022 in response to increasing concerns about anti-social behaviour in the Bay area. Due to the lack of services in the area, Community Action IW decided to launch a pilot programme with an initial grant from Energise Me. Thus the Bay Youth Project was born, catering primarily to young people aged 10–18, with additional training and skills development opportunities for those up to 25 years old.
How it started
Conversations with local councils, including Sandown, Lake, and Shanklin, along with local police, confirmed the urgent need for a dedicated youth initiative focused on diversionary activities.
The project began with weekly detached youth work, a youth forum representing the local community, and activities chosen by the young people themselves. Financial backing from Sandown and Lake councils soon followed, with Shanklin Council also joining in support. By July 2022, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police & Crime Commissioner provided funding, later helped by a Ministry of Justice grant aimed at tackling youth offending through sports and physical activities.
A strong ideology
The core principle of BYP is to listen to young people’s needs and to respond appropriately and proactively. Julian, with fellow staff members, Zoe and Mhari, and the team, deliver a multi-tiered service and engage with young people on the streets, in parks, and in other informal places. Their discussions have highlighted the lack of recreational facilities, limited access to support services, and the need for structured youth activities. The initiative works closely with the local authority, schools, sports and arts organisations, specialist services, community groups, and businesses to create positive outcomes for both young people and their wider communities. Free services are available, through BYP for 48 weeks of the year, to young people living or studying in the Bay area, with the majority of sessions delivered locally but with regular go and see visits to inspire and offer life experiences, including visits to the mainland.
Through this important work, the group has gained recognition for its social initiatives. Annually, the project engages more than 200 young people in structured activities, and reaches more than 1,000 individuals through workshops and outreach programmes.
“We are extremely proud of the many high profile social action projects that the Bay youth members have designed and delivered in the last three years –’The Do Something Different’ Place Based Film, the Ascend Music & Arts Festival, and the Bay Youth Awards & Celebration event are just to name a few!” explained Julian Wadsworth, the youth intervention development officer.
Tackling the bigger picture
BYP has also played a vital role in delivering resilience and awareness-raising workshops, tackling pressing issues such as child exploitation, youth violence, and knife crime. The project has supported the up-skilling of local youth providers and sports clubs, expanding the reach of youth work and the Sport for Development agenda across the Island.
Beyond direct engagement, the Bay Youth Project has initiated redevelopment projects driven by the requests of young people. Partnering with Isle of Wight Council and Sandown Town Council on separate builds, the project successfully secured £3 + 1/2 million in capital investment for two youth spaces and sports facilities in Sandown. These new facilities, set to open before summer this year, will further enhance the project’s ability to serve the community.
In a testament to its success and positive impact, the Bay Youth Project has recently been shortlisted as one of six youth projects for the prestigious National Crimebeat Awards. Members will attend the ceremony in London on March 18.
