During fit out, the young people specified what resources would be available. Leyla, 13 described the process: “At the beginning, I explained what I wanted and they added it to youth club. I wanted to do colouring, drawing, darts, pool. And they added it all in. I felt really happy because I thought they wouldn’t, but they did! Here, I feel really happy and confident, comfortable and safe.” Codesign has given the first cohort of
youths a real sense of ownership and pride in their space. It is well used but also well taken care of. Ruby, 15, said: “I feel like this is a good place to, you know, get out the house. Especially if, like, you have struggles at home – you can come here, chill, you don’t have to worry.” The Swannery opened in October 2024, and welcomes around 100 young people, aged 8-17 every week. Paul said: “The Swannery is the most
exciting thing that’s happened at Wellspring Settlement for a lot of years – getting back into youth services. I was around the first time we were doing youth service. There’s lots of young people we see around locally who’ve got their own children now. They’re not perfect, but they’re not in jail and they’re citizens and they give something back. And that was through intervention from us. The fact that we’re back and being able to deliver that at an age where we can have influence means we can make a change.“ Operating in partnership The Swannery is operated by Wellspring Settlement, in partnership with LPW and the Somali Resource Centre, with the aim that the diverse population of Barton Hill is represented, and brought together. Charlie is a youth worker with the
Somali Resource Centre. “Regardless of background, I think you can see the diversity of the sessions in terms of age groups, in terms of backgrounds, in terms of gender, everyone uses the space. I think that it shows the space is well used, and it shows the importance of the space.” The redevelopment of The Swan has
allowed a core tenant of the Settlement, Somali Resource Centre, to rent bespoke offices on the first floor. Moving from a small cottage on the site to bespoke facilities has allowed them to accommodate local demand – not only from the Somali community but from other migrants to the area. The new offices contain a mix of interview rooms, offices and meeting rooms that can also be used for small group teaching. Abdullahi Farah, Director of Somali Resource Centre said: “On an average
day we see around 40, 50 people and we needed more space to see people confidentially. Since we moved into our new offices we now offer ESOL classes and digital or IT support. Our bigger space has allowed us to increase staff members and provide more support to immigrant and refugee communities in the area. Last year we were able to help around 300 people into paid employment, improving the local economy as well as people’s income and lives.”
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