Climbing wall in Newark Market Place tests bravery of youngsters in Newark

A youth engagement event in Newark has reached new heights.

A climbing wall, football sessions and water safety day are scheduled in Newark in a partnership between Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Public Protection Team, Nottinghamshire Police, Newark Town Council, Nottinghamshire County Council Outreach Youth Service team and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hill Holt Wood.

Next Thursday (April 18) between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, a climbing wall will be positioned in Newark Market Place for young people wishing to take on the challenge and test their nerves.

Children younger than 14 will require parental supervision.

Meanwhile, at the YMCA’s Community and Activity Village, Bowbridge Road, a Premier League Kicks coach from Nottingham Forest is hosting free football sessions to young people between the ages of eight and 18 on Friday evenings between 6pm and 8pm.

And in conjunction with the fire service and Canals and Waterways Trust, council and police officers will be supporting a water safety day on Monday, June 3 at the Riverside park/Mill Lane which will involve water safety education with local primary school children and advice to the general public.

Nottinghamshire County Council Group manager for Early Help Services Rachel Miller said:“The aim of the event is to engage with young people in Newark town centre during the Easter holidays, a time when they might otherwise be hanging around without positive activities to entertain them.

"A big part of the event will be to promote the youth work offer available to young people in Nottinghamshire all year round ­— whether that be the NCC Youth Service which has centres across the county, or the sessions run by partners such as Nottingham Forest for example.

"We believe that through youth work young people can be provided with positive role models, trusted adults and positive activities to allow them to make the best of themselves, diverting them away from risk taking behaviours and encouraging them to explore their strengths.”

PC Robert Nelson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These events are a great way for police and other agencies to engage with young people and to build relationships.

"While tackling anti-social behaviour in the town centre remains a high priority it is important to spend time and communicate positively with young people so we have a better understanding of their needs.”

The programme follows the success of a well-attended feedback session for teenagers aged from 14 to 17, which was held in Newark Market Place on Thursday, April 4, to find out about what they would like to see provided.

District council Business Manager for Public Protection, Alan Batty, said: “This session was an opportunity to engage with young people, who often frequent the town centre, and to offer positive activities for them as summer fast approaches.

“Both the police and council, and other agencies, are aware that there have been recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in the town centre and individuals involved are being tackled.

"However, the Market Place is a great place for people young and old and to enjoy and to see and for agencies who want to positively engage with young people in the area.

“These new opportunities promise to bring hours of fun and enjoyment for young people and we look forward to seeing them joining in.”