Our youth workers have a visible presence in the neighbourhoods, but what exactly do they do? How do they go about their work? And is it effective? We explained this to members of the city council in the youth room Atolplaza. 'If it weren't for the girls' classroom, we would still be hanging out on the street. We did a lot of stupid things,' said Isha and Jadhalyan.
Being visibly present
Young people are at school, out on the streets and also see each other online. So that is also where our youth workers are: during the day, evenings, weekends and even holidays. 'We are where young people are,' explains youth work coordinator Patrick Smelt. 'Each youth worker is sometimes working three to four evenings a week.'
Connecting with young people
While cycling and walking through the neighbourhoods, Patrick and his colleagues speak to (groups of) young people. Just saying hello and telling them who we are. And no, some of them are really not waiting for us. "Walk on. Go away", they shout. Or they turn around themselves. 'On average, we need three moments of contact to get into a conversation.'
Hanging out on the streets
So did Isha and Jadhalyan, who hung out on state a lot. 'We went to school as little as possible. Well, we were there, but not in class.' Until they were accosted by a youth worker. 'We didn't feel like doing that, so we ran away,' Isha looks back. Not long after, they saw her again and did get talking.
Meidenlokaal
'There was no place for girls yet, so we fought for that.' The girls' classroom is a place in the Hanzeborg where 25 to 30 girls aged 12 and above meet weekly. Patrick: 'That's important and we really need more places for that in a big city like Lelystad.'
Activities with young people
By first addressing young people on the street, then inviting them to play a game of football in the inflatable panna cage, for example, real contact is established. 'By being there a lot and offering activities, acceptance comes and only then can you work on problems. That takes time and we need that time. The harsher the behaviour, the longer it takes.'
Offering a perspective
'The results we achieve are not directly reflected in figures. We offer them a perspective on youth crime. Finishing school, building good relationships and eventually being able to stand on your own two feet, that's what it's all about.'
Prevention with Authority
We do this together with schools, youth officers, youth boas, the municipality. Lelystad is one of the 27 municipalities affiliated to the national programme Prevention with Authority. To prevent young people from sliding (further) into crime, the central government makes extra money available.
Parents off the streets
Good news: from 1 January 2024,the deployment of youth work in Lelystad will double. From four full-time jobs, we will go to eight. More youth rooms will also be added. 'Youth workers are the parents of the street, so very good that we will have more colleagues and places.'
