Partington & Carrington Youth Partnership (PCYP)

I was involved with the PCYP while working as Neighbourhood Regeneration Officer at Harvest Housing Group.

Partington & Carrington Youth Partnership (PCYP) began in 2003 under the name 'Make Space' Partnership. This was a Government sponsored project aimed at increasing provision for young people aged between 11 and 19 years old, and was led by Pete. However, over time it was recognised that the agencies involved needed to reach a much wider age group and so decided to break away from the 'Make Space’ idea and expand to form PCYP.

Since 2004 the group has planned, organised and delivered events, activities and services for 1-25 year olds within the area such as Why Don’t You activity days, Screamin Wheels Skate Park Launch, Partington 5-a-side Football League and much more. Those involved include Youth Volunteers, Partington HA, Trafford MBC, Schools, TUF-C and the police to name but a few.

The PCYP became formally constituted in 2007 and secured funding for its own member of staff; a Youth Link Worker who now leads the work of the PCYP.

The biggest achievement of the group was securing £5million from the MyPlace fund to construct The Fuse Youth Village; a two-storey building that will include an advice centre, 376-seat theatre/cinema, a dance studio, recording studio, computer suite, activity hall, changing rooms and showers, a foyer, chill-out zone, office space and a kitchen. There will also be an outdoor challenge court, multi-use games area and basketball court.

The PCYP has been recognised several times by Trafford MBC as an exemplary example of good practice, won housing awards in 2006 and 2007 and also won a national Respect 'Taking A Stand' award in 2007.