The Young Makers’ Assembly has been meeting weekly in South Thamesmead to develop and share their ideas for an attractive and useful youth space in the area. The six-month pilot, produced by creative consultancy social enterprise Beyond the Box CIC, will run until March.
The group have already rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into studying the site, creating models and started developing design ideas. As well learning how to shape a space from scratch, they are also building everyday skills that will help them long after the project ends. This includes budgeting, fundraising, marketing and planning events.
To help the young people bring their ideas to life, Peabody has offered one of the commercial units in Cygnet Square to use as a temporary youth hub. The unit would otherwise be empty until a business moves in, so the group have a blank canvas to test their plans.
The square is already home to Anytime Fitness, Abbeywood Dental Practice and the TACO! cafe, gallery and event space. More business and services will open there in the future.
What the Young Makers say about their new skills
“I wanted to build my confidence and gain public speaking and communications skills, and I’ve already been able to do that,” said 18-year-old Michael Mandzondzo, one of the young people involved. “This has been my first chance to get work experience and see what it’s like to work in a team of individuals, give feedback and take criticism.”
Another member of the group, May Mbabazi, believes the experience will help her in the future.
“I’d like to be an occupational therapist,” said May, aged 16. “The skills that I’m getting in teamwork, talking to people and leadership are all things that will impact me in my career.”
For Spirit-Gigi Lansiquot, the process is broadening her horizons as she considers her employment prospects ahead of graduating this summer.
“It has opened up ideas of different things I can do,” said the 20-year-old fine art student. “I never thought of doing architecture, but I now see opportunities to develop a career.
“I loved looking at interior design, which could be another path to use my art skills.”
More opportunities for young people
Each of the young people is paid the London Living Wage for their work. The pilot is part of Peabody's wider work to create training and employment opportunities and positive activities for young people. This includes encouraging young residents to help shape the activities and spaces they want to see in their town.
The project is being funded by Peabody’s partners Karakusevic Carson Architects, landscape architects Turkington Martin, structural engineers Price & Myers and low-carbon building engineers Beyond Carbon.
All partners have committed to help improve the lives of young people in the town while working on the third phase of Peabody’s seven-phase masterplan for South Thamesmead.
