Community Space Challenge

Community Space Challenge supports young people aged eight to 17 to transform neglected public spaces in 70 neighbourhoods across England. As well as creating cleaner, green communities, Community Space Challenge gives young people an alternative to getting into trouble, crime and anti-social behaviour.

Community Space Challenge is delivered through 70 local organisations who have established relationships with young people via their Youth Inclusion Programmes. These organisations (some are local authorities and others from the voluntary sector) take young people through referrals from schools, the police, social workers, other voluntary organisations and partners in the community.

How it works

Community Space Challenge aims to offer young people a genuine opportunity to take a leadership role – and that includes not only making the improvements but also planning and selecting which spaces to tackle

As young people spruce up local grot spots they learn new skills, gain accredited awards, grow in pride and stay out of trouble.

Community Space Challenge isn’t just about grabbing a shovel or picking up a paintbrush – it’s also about young people giving something back to the communities they live in.

With the support of a trainer from Keep Britain Tidy, young people go out on a 'grumble walk' around their area. With a camera and notebook in hand they identify the highlights and 'grot spots' in their neighbourhood.

They then develop their own plan for tackling what they have seen and follow this up with practical action.

The results

• To date over 10,500 young people have got involved in transforming their neighbourhood and have given 100,000 hours of their time. 
• Over 2,400 young people have gained accredited awards that recognise their new skills and improve their chances of getting jobs or further training and over 1,800 are now back into education, training, volunteering or on into work as a result of their involvement.
• More than 77% of those who had been in trouble with the police are getting into trouble less – or not at all.
• Almost two-thirds (63%) of young people involved told us they now felt more part of their community because of taking part in Community Space Challenge and the same number told us they now feel more pride in their neighbourhood.

Find out more on the Community Space Challenge website or by following us on Twitter: @communityspaces or YouTube.