Learning from practice

Based in Helston, Cornwall, which has the highest rate of unemployment in the district, the Mustard Seed project provides a range of services including evening club activities for 10-14 year olds, a drop-in centre for homeless young people and a weekly parent and toddler group providing support for young parents.

All the activities take place in an area behind three shop fronts that operates during the day as a café, offering cheap wholesome meals made with local produce. Some of the people who eat in the café may be in need of support, and contacts with other agencies that offer practical assistance can be developed in a relaxed atmosphere.

The café is staffed by adults with severe learning disabilities, and people with mental health needs. They are able to progress in the supportive environment provided by volunteers and a paid head cook who was once a project participant. The local college undertakes Health and Safety and Food Hygiene training and some participants have moved into paid work following their time with Mustard Seed.

In the afternoon and evening the space is used for after-school clubs and to provide a base for youth workers to engage with local young people. Issues of personal development initiated by the young people themselves are addressed outside a school setting.

From amongst this group several residential activities and outward-bound courses have been planned and undertaken across the county throughout the summer holidays. The Local Network Fund grant helped provide outreach into rural areas and enabled the centre to develop new initiatives including a ‘green box’ scheme to distribute fresh, seasonal, local produce to low-income families locally. This element of the project will also allow participants to engage more widely in their local community.

Example taken from Letting the future in - a celebration of innovative projects for children and young people supported by the DfES administered Local Network Fund, and compiled by Community Links - see www.community-links.org/