Assynt Christian Community Youth Project

Developing Assynt's youth physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally  
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SHORT HISTORY
Assynt Christian Community Youth Project (ACCYP) was set up in 1997 by local Christians from the different denominations in the Assynt area of north-west Sutherland in Highland Region. This area has more than an average share of social problems. There is widespread stress related to insecurity of employment and drug and alcohol abuse. Average incomes are low and many single parent families struggle to cope. The failure of the fishing industry has meant less casual work is available and many young adults now depend on seasonal work and are left unemployed for long periods.

In 2001, ACCYP joined forces with another group, Assynt Leisure, who were planning a sports centre. This amalgamation saw the bringing together of all the planned facilities under one roof. Assynt Community Education (ACE) also linked up to operate within the building promoting educational activities for all ages. Hence the Centre was built with education, sport and youth in mind. The upstairs has a computer suite and larger open area with sofas, table tennis,pool tables, darts, and study tables, while the main floor offers a classroom, gym, games hall and locker rooms. This centre was opened to the public in 2004, however most of the local youth did not use the Centre. Realizing this ACCYP pursued funding for a youth worker post. In April 2006, Erick Olsen arrived to become Assynt’s first full-time youth worker. The current funding allows for a full-time youth worker through April 2009

NOW
Currently, using our co-owned leisure facilities, ACCYP supports the youth by providing a drug and alcohol free zone that is the local youth’s main social hub. This facility provides education (internet and computer access), leisure (pool, darts, xbox 360, movies, and hang out area) and sport (games hall for football, basketball, and badminton) based activities for the youth. We provide an open environment being accessable most days from 11-9pm and also provide a youth club (Monday and Wednesday nights) and youth cafe (Saturday night). The development of our social enterprise will provide training in marketing, administration, and leadership skills for the youth. Through these activities and resources, ACCYP is the missing link for most of these teens so that they can move forward in life becoming successful contributing adults.

“The ELEMENT” is free for all high school students and occurs Monday and Wednesday nights through the school year; it includes sports, homework support, computer and internet access as well as opportunity for social interaction. These are vital evenings for the students as during the winter they are often leaving and arriving from school in the dark and this gives them an outlet other than school that is safe and also out of the wind, rain and weather. Currently we have on average 35-40 students attending per week with about 23-28 individual contacts each week, which is over 70% of the local high school students.

Twice a month, at “Teen Café” on Saturday nights the youth can use the games hall for sporting activities (football, basketball, badminton, etc.). Pool, Xbox, table tennis and darts are available and often a movie will be watched on the big screen (projector). Other activities are organized with the Ullapool Youth Club (the location of the local high school) and Highland Youth. We currently work with the Free Church in Ullapool to provide a youth fellowship for Christian teens.

In short, having a youth worker in Lochinver has significantly increased the activities for the local youth. It has also more importantly allowed the Leisure Centre to become a safe haven for the youth in Assynt; a place removed from drinking, drugs and other negative influences that are sadly common in Highland culture. By funding ACCYP’s youth worker, we are enabling young people to be better citizens and increasing their likelihood to be engaged and active adults.

THE FUTURE
 Parents, teachers, locals and many visitors to Assynt have noticed the difference having a local youth worker and Leisure Centre makes and offer high praise of both. Therefore the committee of ACCYP (made up of volunteers from the Free Church, Church of Scotland and the Episcopal Church) is very keen to make sure that the last three years do not become a “one-off” but continues as the future of the local youth is at stake. Realising that total dependency on Trusts and others’ generosity is not ideal they have created a local social enterprise (paintballing) with the idea that the income would help in continued funding of a full-time youth worker in Assynt. This social enterprise will not only provide income for ACCYP but should be a valuable resource for the local youth in the needed skills of business and life.

GOALS
• Maintain 50% or above for local youth participating in ACCYP activities on weekly basis. Expand to 80% of Assynt youth on a yearly basis.
• Continue support of full-time youth work by working with charities, trust, Highland Council and other sources to provide grants and donations.
• Engage older youth (16+) and keep youth involved as they move through adolescence.
• Engage with parents to become active volunteers and supporters of Assynt Leisure and ACCYP.
• Challenge youth to do something practical to help the community, nation, and world.
• Develop social enterprise(s) that teach youth important skills while providing income for ACCYP.
• Create a fellowship and community for young Christians to grow spiritually and emotionally.
• Bring young people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.