What is Our Place BA14?
Our Place BA14 connects young people aged 10-25 who live in Trowbridge with the support, resources and encouragement they need to lead or participate in local social action initiatives and projects. Together with partners like the Arts Development Company CIC and Mighty Girls CIC we:
- Work alongside young people (groups and individuals) as they share hopes and develop ideas.
- Facilitate a peer support network for those engaging in social action.
- Bring together supportive organisations, community leaders and others to listen and provide tips and tools to help make ideas a reality.
- Provide a platform for young people to make their place thrive with the support and resources they need to make a difference.
- Remind young change makers to look after themselves as they take action for others.
I am aged under 16, how how can I get involved?
If you’re aged under 16, please talk to your parent, guardian, teacher or youth worker about Our Place BA14 and invite them to contact the coordinator for more information. Due to safeguarding guidelines you need to make sure your parent / guardian gives consent for you to be involved in local activities and/or be directly part of any social media groups. Please don't worry as you can get involved in social action via your school or youth club setting. We will run specific activities for your age group. You can also send in your articles, photographs, ideas etc via email to share on this website. Our Place BA14 includes you too, its only this networking site that is for age 16+!
What is youth social action?
Broadly, social action includes the things people do to make a positive difference and drive change in their community and the world around us. It’s all about developing our own solutions to the issues that affect us. Youth social action is all about children and young people aged 10 – 25 taking the lead. It involves activities such as campaigning, fundraising and volunteering, all of which enable local young people to make a positive difference in community as well as develop their own skills and knowledge.
I am aged 16-25, how can I get involved?
If you’re aged 16-25 register to this online networking site today to:
• Join discussion, action groups and share your hopes for Trowbridge
• Connect with others your age
• Access resources and opportunities for action
I am aged 26+, how can I show my support?
If you’d like to support youth-led social action in Trowbridge and the Our Place BA14 initiative, please contact the coordinator to:
- Share existing local social or community action initiatives that young people can participate in (including volunteering opportunities)
- Make any community action requests i.e. can you help us at the foodbank to encourage more donations, can you help set up a community garden, can you improve this plot of land, run a community activity etc..
- Ask any questions about Our Place BA14 or express your support
- Take the lead by signing up to the Power of Youth Charter at www.iwill.org.uk or follow @iwill_movement on twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
How can I contact the Our Place BA14 coordinator?
Contact Gem Novis the current coordinator and founder/project lead:
Phone 07533 616 150 (including Whatsapp)
Who is the Our Place BA14 coordinator?
Gem Novis is a Trowbridge resident with a background in youth and community work. As the coordinator and project lead their role is to support every interested young person to connect with local social action projects (new and existing) in a way that fits with their unique passions and interests. As part of this role, they moderate the online Our Place BA14 network and build relationships with local organisations, project supporters and funders. They're also the designated safeguarding lead.
How is this project funded and supported?
This initiative is funded via the #Iwill Fund and hosted by the Arts Development Company CIC. The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities. Wiltshire Community Foundation is acting as a match funder and awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund.