Young people have been sprucing up the Sea Terminal and surrounding area this summer.
In a project led by the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service, the young people have been cleaning and redecorating the building and the surrounding port area.
The project was run from the Youth Service’s Cafe Laare in Lord Street, which has been open for extra hours over the school summer holidays to give the teenagers somewhere to meet up and be with friends.
Emma Macaulay, Area Youth Worker, said the project came about after reports over the winter months, via police and social media, that young people congregating at the Sea Terminal were displaying anti-social behaviour.
‘Young people of Cafe Laare who frequent the Sea Terminal were keen to change the perception and wanted to show their commitment to the community by giving something back,’ Emma said.
‘Each of the young people has given up 15 hours of their own time and has contributed willingly.
‘We hope seeing their peers working to improve the environment will deter young people from causing problems in future.’
One of the volunteers said: ‘This has given me something to do over the summer and my friends think we have done a good job.’
Another said: ‘It has taught me practical skills that will come in useful for work.’
A third added: ‘If I see friends, for example, spraying fizzy drinks at windows, in future I’d want to clean it up rather than join in.’
A fourth said: ‘I have really enjoyed the work we have been doing and looked forward to each session.’
The project has been run in conjunction with the Department of Infrastructure.
Craig Batty, caretaker of the Sea Terminal, said: ‘I have enjoyed getting to know the young people and it has been a pleasure working with them.
‘The young people who have helped out have put a lot into the building and will no doubt act as a positive influence on the few young people whose behaviour was a concern.’
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