Urbis, the Manchester museum dealing with the city and urban culture, has launched an innovative project and conference to address the gang related crimes that continue to feature prominently in the city.
The Reclaim Project runs from October 15-18 2007 and will deliver a challenging four day programme of activity for 45 young black male teenagers aged 12-14 from Moss Side.
A group of successful Manchester men, consisting of youth workers nominated for their outstanding commitment to the community, will be mentors to the young people providing advice and practical workshops.
“Urbis focuses on how people live together in urban environments,” said Ruth Ibegbuna, Head of Learning at Urbis. “This means tackling real issues facing real people, and helping to give them the tools to effect changes to their environments.”
Across the four days the young men will be positively encouraged through a series of tasks to actively define what respect means. Through earlier discussions with the group the theme of respect has proved to be of prime importance to them.
At the end of the project the young men will be left on their own to draw up eight rules which they think will be acceptable for all residents in Moss Side to adhere to - a 'Manifesto for Change'.
Once agreed the group will return to Moss Side armed with 2,000 laminated copies of the Manifesto which they will encourage fellow community members to support by displaying in shop windows, school receptions, police stations, takeaways, taxi ranks and other public places.
The three groups of 15 young people will also be given a budget of £150 and a time limit to effect a positive change in a primary school, an older person's social centre and a community centre in Moss Side.
The groups will work collaboratively to plan an hour's activities and entertainment with a focus on putting another group's needs before their own.
Workshops facilitated by Manchester based ODD Theatre Company will help to develop street dancing, urban poetry, DJ-ing, capoeira, African drumming and creative writing.
One of the key aims of the Reclaim project is to respond to the desperate need for black role models in light of the many murders this year of young black people and the conference running in tandem with the project will involve several high profile black male role models.
Urbis is about covering what's new, original, and interesting about city life. ILL COMMUNICATION II in 2004 was the UK’s largest ever exhibition of street art. Photograph: Dave Ashlin. Courtesy Urbis
Six keynote speakers will be present including Tony Morris, Granada News Anchor; Charles Crichlow, Chairman of the Black and Asian Police Association; Matthew Gordon, Director of Green County Organic & Ethical Food Distribution; Bradley Lincoln, Founder of the Multiple Heritage Society and Caryl Agard, Executive Director of The Social Business Company.
“Boys in particular need positive male role models with whom they can genuinely relate to,” added Ruth. “Through this project we hope that with the right support, they will feel empowered to make a difference and actively change the negative attitude towards Moss Side by reclaiming their community and making sure the future is a positive one.”
The young people will be set personal targets by their youth workers which will be followed through for three months after the conference ends to provide continued contact, encouragement and support. There will also be a professionally produced performance at Urbis to showcase the positive skills and talents which the young men have developed.
Reclaim is a pilot project that Urbis hopes to roll out to other communities over the next year.
