Tackling Youth Vulnerability and Building Community Resilience in Aston

According to the 2019 Indices of Deprivation, Aston ranks within the top 10% of the most deprived areas in England. This socio-economic context has contributed to growing concerns around youth violence and the increasing risk of young people becoming involved in gangs and criminal activity. Families and community organisations in Aston continue to seek accessible, positive opportunities that can divert young people away from these risks.

Daniel Squires, a long-standing youth and community worker with lived experience of Aston, has been actively supporting young people in the area. Over two years, he contributed to several Bring it on Brum! holiday clubs, gaining practical experience in delivering engaging and impactful youth provision.

Reflecting on the challenges facing the community, Daniel noted:
“Economic challenges increase the temptation of gangs and criminal activity that sadly often entice young people. This impacts the young people and families who attend the Salvation Army centre.”

Intervention

In Winter 2024, Daniel established a new holiday club based at the Salvation Army centre in Aston. After securing funding, the programme supported 30 young people aged 13–17 over four days during the school holidays.

The club offered a diverse programme of activities designed to engage young people in a safe, structured environment. These included:

• Creative arts sessions
• Food preparation and cooking activities
• A music production workshop
• Recreational experiences such as a gaming van and laser tag trips

The primary aim was to provide out-of-school provision for young people considered at risk of grooming, gang involvement, and exposure to youth violence within the local area.

Programme Development

Through its involvement in the Bring it on Brum! initiative, the club expanded its offer to include family-focused engagement. A Ready, Steady, Cook-style event was introduced to help young people build practical life skills in meal planning, preparation, and cooking. These sessions were well received and strengthened relationships with local families.

Additionally, as a new programme provider, the Salvation Army participated in a targeted nutritional workshop for older teenagers. The “Meal for a Fiver” session challenged participants to design and prepare a meal using limited ingredients, promoting budgeting, teamwork, and healthy eating.

To align with existing youth provision, the session adopted a community café approach. Fifteen young people were directly involved in planning, preparing, cooking, and serving the meal, while a total of 25 attendees benefited from the food and shared experience.

Outcomes and Impact

• Increased engagement of young people in positive, structured activities
• Development of practical life skills, including cooking and budgeting
• Strengthened community connections through family-inclusive events
• Creation of a safe space encouraging social interaction and positive peer relationships

The programme demonstrated how targeted, community-led interventions can provide meaningful alternatives to negative influences, supporting young people to build confidence, skills, and resilience.