A Newcastle based charity, Streetwise Young People’s Project is celebrating as it has received a two year grant of over £40,000. The money will help continue their successful programme of events for under 18s in the city, known as CRUNK Newcastle. The grant has been made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales as part of their Community programme.
Since 1991 Streetwise has been operating in Newcastle city centre, offering a drop in service for young people looking for advice on mental and sexual health, drug and alcohol support and counselling. The Project helps over 6,500 young people every year.
CRUNK Newcastle is a monthly social event for under 18’s, bringing together communities of young people who wouldn’t normally spend time together. It provides a drug and alcohol free environment for young people to celebrate Newcastle’s diverse music and cultural scene. A planning group of 15 young ‘CRUNKERZ’, supported by Streetwise youth workers, meet every week to discuss the issues that young people face in everyday life and to plan a range of events. In recent months they have taken part in celebrations such as the Newcastle Mela, a ‘Taste of Africa’ festival and the North East of England Ghana Union “Ghana is 50” event.
The CRUNK Newcastle team have written produced and recorded a music CD Album called ‘Out Of Many We Are One’. The aim of this CD is to educate other young people through music, about the effects of racism, discrimination and divisions in society on individuals and on the communities we live in. The CD is available from Streetwise or the RPM Music Store for £4.99.
Peter Ellis, Lloyds TSB Foundation grant manager for the North East and Cumbria commented, ‘This is an excellent project giving young people a sense of independence to develop ideas that will help them with self-expression and self-esteem.’
If you are interested in learning more about Streetwise and the CRUNK Newcastle project or would like to become one of the CRUNKERZ, you can contact Fred at 0191 2305400 or 07852107803. You can also find more information, forthcoming events and tracks from the CRUNK Newcastle album at www.myspace.com/crunknortheast
The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales supports charities that help disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community. Local or regional charities with an income up to £1million and national charities with an income up to £5 million can find out more about the funding criteria and grant programmes at www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk.
