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At the penultimate Rotary Club meeting of his Presidential year, Jim Speirs welcomed guest and good friend to the club, Gerry Brown and guest speakers for the evening Jim McIntyre, from Carluke’s Street Level and his work partner from Universal Connections, Brian Sullivan.
Jim McIntyre, Jim Speirs and Brian Sullivan
Some 15 years ago the five churches in Carluke recognized that local young people, i.e. that group comprising the near to, teens, late teens and older, needed a facility which they could identify with and claim ownership of. Out of that need Street Level was formed. Initially they depended on volunteer workers who were prepared to go out and speak to the youngsters on there own level, win their trust and respect and, by simply talking to them, establish what their wants, needs and desires were. Funds were raised, the redundant premises of the Junction Bar and Disco were purchased and major strides were made towards fitting out the premises. This coincided with the introduction of the much-vaunted public drinking byelaws and more happily with the start of South Lanarkshire Council’s flagship youth vehicle Universal Connections. As some may remember the then Council Leader, Tom McCabe, drove the concept of Universal Connections which sought to address the ambitions of youth and improve youth development through the provision of much better recreational and other services for young people.
Street Level, very much community based, and Universal Connections, better financed and coming with the political will to achieve success, married very well to provide the additional funding, organisational and educational backed infrastructure to afford this fledgling concept the means to come to fruition.
Jim and Brian both exuded obvious enthusiasm for the project and outlined the methods by which they engaged with the town’s youth at all levels and from as wide a spectrum as imaginable. The community commitment to the kids meant that youngsters either learned or derived from the experience. They had a place to go where they could feel safe and have fun outwith the structured environs of other youth organisations whilst retaining the voluntary attendance ethos of those other organisations.
Demonstrating their outreach methods, Brian and Jim commented on their recent visits to primary schools where they spoke to all primary 7 school children in the town. These children were provided with useful information about the organisation and encouraged to come along, sample and gauge just what Street Level with Universal Connections had to offer them as an alternative to wandering the streets. Parents are welcome to drop in to find out just what Street Level and Universal Connections are all about. Primary 7’s and 1st year High School pupils have exclusive use of the premises on Thursday evenings.
All age groups attending the premises can experience, among other things, computers with safe internet connection, Play Stations, Music Nights, tuition in guitars and drums, Gig Nights, and Music Session Nights very often assisted by professional or skilled music session staff. There is also a café where soft drinks, sweets, crisps etc can be purchased and during the coming school holidays the kids will be encouraged to enjoy healthier eating when a large variety of fresh fruit will be on offer, free of charge, as an alternative to the usual sweets and other items.
Jim and Brian were asked how they engaged with the young people and what benefits had been obtained. They related that they simply talked to the youngsters at their level, empathised with them, gained their trust, gauged their various aspirations and tried to provide useful life skills. On speaking to some of their charges later on in life (they reckoned that the young men would now be in the age range of 23-25years old) one of their numbers said “Aye you’s guys were sneaky *******s, you taught us things - and we didn’t even know we were learning.” These few words suggest that, in partnership, Street Level and Universal Connections are providing a most essential service to the younger members of our community.
Street Level is dependent on donations and any grants that can be identified. Universal Connections on the other hand is reliant on non-statutory council funding, which is all too often dependent on the vagaries of the economic climate and the political will to support this section of our community. Hopefully the various donors, donor groups, grant aiding organisations and our own local authority will continue to support this worthy partnership in the manner it deserves.
Jim Speirs gave a very warm vote of thanks to Jim and Brian, in which he appreciated their input, candour and commitment to their organisation.
Any students interested in participating in the Carluke Rotary Young Photographer of the year aimed at under 12’s and 12 to 19 years olds please visit this website and download an entry form and terms and conditions of entry.
The Rotary Club of Carluke meets regularly 6.00 for 6.30 pm on Mondays within the Cartland Bridge Hotel, Lanark. For further information please contact any member.
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Club President, Jim Speirs, welcomed visiting Rotarian, Assistant District 1020 Governor Elect and West Zone Leader, Ken Donald, to the regular weekly meeting. Ken was in attendance by invitation to participate in the Club’s annual Assembly. Club Assembly is a formal meeting, which gives the incoming Committee Chairmen the opportunity to propose their committees’ intended business for the coming Rotary year.