the Help Files....
Nov 2004
Research on Cathedral Gardens
118 questionnaires completed over two Saturdays.
“people believe I shouldn’t have an opinion because of my age”
Outreach work
Before the project could start, there was a long period of outreach work. Where surveys established need, it was necessary to ascertain how these young people wanted to be engaged and to access help and support, what activities they would want and to what extent they would design and lead their own projects.
One thing quickly became clear: young people were coming to Cathedral Gardens to interact positively and safely, and even if they did get bored occasionally, they did not want 'diversionary' activities that would take them away from this important social space.
May 2005
Manchester City Council propose a Dispersal Order for Cathedral Gardens, stating that:
"The presence of large numbers of youngsters behaving in an antisocial manner has made the Gardens a virtual no-go area for other people."
Outreach work is started to engage young people and ask for their perspective on use of Cathedral Gardens and the proposed Dispersal Order.
23 young people engaged over 3 separate meetings.
"Urbis or Manchester is the only place i can go to get avoid being attacked by chavs/scallies and do what we want and express ourselves."
-A7X-ROCK (later comment from website forums, typical of feedback at this time)
July 2005
Recruitment of young people to the Young People in the City Centre Partnership.
3 young people become regulars at the meetings.
June 2005
Creation of Website
"THIS IS
YOUR CHANCE TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.
SOMETHING WHICH WILL HAVE AN IMPACT
PLEASE... if you have been wanting to get involved. this is your chance...
just, do something as simple as... RESPECT Cathedral Gardens.
RESPECT the urbis...
dont litter. dont drink. dont fight.
RANT OVER. tlk
soon people.
add me on msn, or email me with ne more questions.
xxxxxxxxxxxxtashyboix"
July 2005
The first volunteer litter pick was organised by Suzanne Eaton of teh Street Wardens team.
15 young people take part, mostly existing volunteers and young people who had already been in touch with the project and understood the importance of taking positive action.
July 2005
Training Moderators
6 young people
"I think
all users should have to be registered because it will help keep troublesome
people off the forums, who will give Urbis a bad name! I don't think any
words should be particularly banned, but it should be moderated. Finally,
i think moderators could deal with problems, by first of all issuing warnings,
and then any users who continue to be a problem should be banned for a
certain amount of time depending on how "bad" they've been =)."
</3Miss Self Destruct
August 2005
Opening of website's forums. Over time these grow to have 540+ members, 9,000+ forum entries in 800+ different conversations and 2500+ images in the galleries.
"I just wanted to take a moment to say that I LOVE THIS SITE! it is awesome. you all have done such a great job on it. It is truely become a community space here, loads of communication etc. well done."
- Carolyn, URBIS
"Heya Kat Hayj and everyonelse i kno its Brian hear yano the red coat hehe im impressed how quick you got the website up it was only the week before last i spoke to denise about it its looking great.... all ther all the best from Brian your freindly naigbourhood warden"
- Brian, Groundwork
