Summer Scheme.
Funded through Kent Children’s Fund, Social Services and Kent Safe Schools, with support from Westminster Weenies, Westminster School and Swale Borough Council the scheme ran for its 4th year in August 2004.

Over 60 young people aged 9 – 14 years attended and they enjoyed a programme of Dance, Drama, Quaser Laser, Cycle Workshops, Multi - Sports Programme, Music, Magic and Arts & Crafts.

We had visits from the Kent Learning Bus, Swale Community Against Drugs, Police, Fire Brigade and Swale Primary Care Trust who provided session on Healthy

Lifestyles and Crime and Disorder.

The young people also had trips to The Science Museum, Millenium Eye and Sheerness Youth Club and Bowling.

Other achievements for 2004 – 2205 included a popular after school club based at Sheppey Youth Action for 9 – 13 year old. This is now in its 5th year and has had over 250 young people through the club.

Community Development Projects.
This is funded by Connexions and in partnership with Minster College. This works with young people aged 15 years plus who are at risk of exclusion and gives them the opportunity to do a work based project out in the community. This gives pupils diversary activities to encourage them to stay in school and complete their GCSE’s.

Self Esteem Project Cheyne Middle School.
This project in partnership with Kent Safe Schools offers young people the opportunity to raise their self esteem, self worth and confidence through various methods over a 12 week period.

Young Parents Group in Sheerness West.
In partnership with Sure Start and Westminster Weenies. A popular group which has enabled young people and their children to get together and share their experiences and enjoy activities.

Funding for the following year has been secured from Connexions, underspend from S.R.B. and Kent Children’s Fund.

Swale Youth Projects.
The following shows a 3rd successful year for Swale Youth projects, funded through Children’s Fund, they provide projects and activities for young people aged 9 to 13 years across Swale.

Swale Youth Projects continues with its work from its new base in Bensted Grove Ospringe which is provided for us by Swale Housing Association, we are very appreciative of this as we are now based in the heart of the community which enables us to provide services where they are most needed.

The work at Murston After Schools club continues with good response from young people. They enjoy the activities offered and are at present working with the local community artist and The Sittingbourne Community College to produce a mural which will be put in place on the Canterbury Road Estate. The Kent Participation Network are also working with the young people to find out what other things they would like from the club.

Football clubs for both boys and girls run at Bysing Wood and are continuing to thrive with good attendance, although the girls have opted out during the cold weather! The young people work hard to maintain their achievements and took place in their first tournament this year only losing out in the semi final to the team that went on to win the competition. No mean feat as this was the first time they had entered a team. They all made a good effort!

Work on mentoring is also taking place at Opringe School as well as The Sittingbourne Community College with benefit to the young people there.

Swale Youth Projects also worked on the Summer Scheme at Westminster School in conjunction with Sheppey Youth Action, Kent Safe Schools and Westminster Weenies.

We also assisted in the ½ term art project at Bysing Wood School in conjunction with the Faversham Community Café where the young people produced some very good examples of sculptures and two murals which are now on display in the school.

On the Isle of Sheppey the Allsorts club at the Healthy Living Centre continues to thrive with good attendance and participation by young people. They enjoy a variety of activities which include art & craft, board games, table tennis and pool and usually round off the session with a very energetic game of either parachute or a ball game, another great favourite is "Fruit Salad"

The Wright club in Eastchurch is unfortunately no more at the moment, numbers fell off badly and the young people could not be tempted back. The decision was taken to close due to lack of funding and poor attendance but it is hoped to restore our presence in Eastchurch by forming an alliance with the primary school and working with them to provide young people in the area with an after school club. Work is taking place on this at the present time.

Cheyne quad group is ongoing with young people working hard to improve their communication and personal skills through the auspices of environmental work on the school quad.

Swale Youth Projects also assisted Cheyne Middle School and Sheerness County Youth Club with the schools activity week. They held a range of activities for approximately 300 young people some of which were school and club based some took place at outside venues.

Working with Minster College and Connexions the STAY project is a twelve week programme which works with young people who are at risk of exclusion or who are not achieving their full potential. They are introduced to the concept of team building and one of the tools we use is the Mta as well as outside agencies such as a visit to the Fire Brigade, a talk on Drug prevention and health issues.