Prospex has been busy since the last update here is a taste of what has been going on.

The Opening

Since the last update the official opening of the building has taken place and was a great celebration. Opened by the Bishop of London who gave a brief speech. The evening included speeches and thanks by Matt Calvert, Mike Hicks (Chair of Trustees) and Tanya Byron. Some of the young people who worked on the building were there along with friends, supporters and those involved in partnership.

Partnership

A partnership board is now in place with CYP, Prospex, HFI and Homes for Islington who are now working closley together.

CYP are designing a float for the Lord Mayors Pardade and Prospex will be helping with the construction side. This will take place in November using the building as the base for this.

CYP also have a display of hoodies in the art window of the property, challenging the stereo types the media portrays. These have created alot of interest see the photo or if you are in the area come and see them for yourself.

Cooking Programme

A four week cooking programme has taken place with the Primary Care Trust Health and fitness, teaching young people to cook healthy meals. The programme has seen six young people from Prospex each session learning these skills and it has been a huge success. Another course is about to start and we are looking to develop this into a rolling programme with a possible parents as well.

Prospex Works

HFI (Homes for Islington) have now started a six week rolling work placement scheme this follows the success of these placements with ICSL Accord. Aurick Scaffolding have also taken on one placement and will teach them the trade and give all the training required. We are very grateful for these are they are really making a difference in young peoples lives. If you are interested in offering work placements get in touch With Maxine who will tell you more.

Life Prospex

We are just finishing a Life Prospex course where for young people will have completed it. The course has looked at boundaries, community, team building, responsibility and included a residential in North Wales and a day on a farm. It has been a great success. Life Prospex is always developing and we have some new initiatives in the pipe line that we will tell you about soon.

Anti Social Behaviour Project.

We have now finished a ten week ASBP which has included a mix of educational sessions, trips out and evaluations. One session included Michael Gross the man responsible for the Brixton Riots in 1989, this was a very powerful evening challenging many young people about violence and crime. This ten weeks have helped us build strong relationships with this group of young people. We are now seeking further funding to continue this work.

Parents

Our parents group now meets fortnightly in the property to support and give advise on a regular basis. THese are informal and often include an outside agency that are experts in their field.

The Property

The building continues to be a real hub for young people in the area and we have added a table and chairs outside when the weather is fine. Our Connections worker is here once a week and a team of Islington Drugs Workers will be using the building regularly starting this month. This will be as an informal drop in and offering one to one work for those who request it. This is a great need and we are excited by this link. The centre is open every other Friday night as a late drop in which continues to be hugely popular.

Thank You.

A huge thankyou goes to Dixons Stores Group plc and Sir John Collins for the generous donation of £5000 this has enabled us to purchase a 52 inch flat screen media centre, some lap tops, as well as some other equipment.

Finally but not least.

The flower box project is still developing and our young people have put in for a grant for some tools and passed the first stage. The next stage is to give a presentation infront of a board on the project, this is a massive thing for these young people and we are excited that they are up for doing this. We are currently waiting for the go ahead on the workshops and as soon as this is given work can start on setting them up. Watch this space. (click photos to enlarge)