Swannery Shortlisted for National Award!

The Swannery Youth Club has recently been shortlisted for an Inspiring Future Generations award. This award celebrates excellence in children and young people’s engagement, and recognises the impact of youth-led design on the youth club, the area and the young people who codesigned the space.

Youth-led design

When The Swan pub closed and  Wellspring Settlement took it on, the community of Barton Hill told us we should use it as an opportunity to reinstate youth services.

Throughout regeneration project, a group of young people from nearby schools were involved, guided by workers from Wellspring Settlement, Learning Partnership West and Bristol Horn Youth Concern. These ‘Youth Influencer’ sessions were designed to ensure the building would be fit for purpose but would also build skills and confidence by giving young people the chance to work with the architects and builders doing the work. They sat in contractor interviews, helped choose finishes, informed the layout of spaces, and guided the activities and equipment that they wanted the space to support.

From the early stages of setting the brief, the young people were part of the process. In addition to an open-plan activity area, and a cosy chill out space with sofas and a big TV, what came through most strongly was that the youth club needed a kitchen. As Paul Simpson, Deputy CEO admits “kids are sometimes hungry” so a kitchen was added to the plans for them to develop skills in cooking and share food as a community.

The young people were invited to the construction site and involved in decisions – from looking at the tender packages, to choosing finishes and facilities for the club. The resulting orange flooring and dark green walls are hard wearing, practical and non-institutional; far removed from a hired hall or a classroom.

Maria Krupa led the project for Barefoot Architects. “The young people we worked with were inspiring – once they had warmed up to the idea that they would really be listened to, they had great questions, made thoughtful decisions and offered useful critique. They wanted to know how everything worked – about the apprenticeships the contractor offered, if they had to go for the cheapest tender, or whether suppliers were local for example.”

Paul Simpson, Deputy CEO at Wellspring Settlement said “What was also really, really important was Maria’s standing as far as our young women go. They could see Maria and the way that the contractors engaged with her and respected her. But for these young women, to see that relationship was like, wow, there’s a woman here and she’s in charge!”

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 the 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 young people involved 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.”

Paul Simpson, Deputy CEO of Wellspring Settlement 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. 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.“

And just over a year since it opened, the Swannery Youth Club is thriving. It welcomes around 100 young people aged 8 to 17 every week, across four after school sessions, plus holiday activities run in partnership with Somali Resource Centre, Learning Partnership West and Horn Youth Concern. New participants, including those with physical or learning disabilities have actively joined sessions, prompting staff to ensure activities are accessible and inclusive. This success reflects the ownership that the members feel, and the confidence that they are growing week on week.

It is a much needed third space for young people – especially girls – to spend time with their peers. New friendships are made across communities; new skills are found through the weekly activities that are offered.

Inspiring Future Generations Award

The Swannery is one of six projects shortlisted in the Community category. The winners will be announced at an event in London in January.