Springfield Hospital Youth Club Opening Night
Sporting celebrities came out in force for the grand opening of Springfield Hospital Youth Club on Thursday evening [14 April]. They included members of the London Wasps rugby teams, members of the England Deaf Rugby teams and members of the British Deaf Olympic Squad.
The venture is the result of a collaboration between education, health and youth service professionals and has been developed by teacher Shaun Dodds and occupational therapist Amanda Billingham. The project is targeted at both hearing and deaf young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties. The aim of the project is to provide a forum for the young people to develop a range of life skills through structured activities including DJ and music workshops, cooking activities and sports activities, to name only a few, and also the opportunity to socialise with other young people experiencing similar difficulties.
The local community artist Brian Barnes MBE has also been working with the young people to produce a mural.
Shaun Dodds said ‘The opening night was an outstanding success. A significant number of both inpatients and out patients attended. All the young people had a great time using the new facilities, such as the CD mixing decks and dance mats and trying out the new music and sports equipment with the international sports stars.’
The youth club is not open to the general public - only to young people up to the age of 18 involved with the South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust services. Anyone who feels they may something to offer is welcome to contact Shaun to discuss it further on 0208 7725428.
The project was made possible when representatives of the young people, who include both deaf and hearing teenagers with mental health problems, won an award of £5,000 after delivering a heart-rending presentation to the ‘Community Chest’ panel, which can access Government money for local community projects. They were competing with a number of other deserving groups for the award to help set the project up and for the services of a youth worker.
