The project will address Local Priorities:

- Improve safety, accessibility and equipment in outdoor recreation spaces for families and young people

- Improve community facilities to support wider range of projects

The existing area poses safety risks and limits children’s ability to play freely. With funding, we will install a new, safe surface beneath the trim trail, add outdoor gym equipment, a climbing Oberon, and seating to encourage longer visits and social interaction. Raised beds will be retained to support biodiversity and a natural feel, while bright, engaging colours will enhance the space visually.

This transformation will:

· Improve safety and accessibility for all children, including those with mobility challenges

· Encourage outdoor activity and healthy lifestyles

· Foster community spirit through shared use and inclusive design

By reimagining this space, we will create a welcoming, multi-use area that supports wellbeing, play, and togetherness—ensuring the playground remains a cherished community asset for years to come.

This project seeks funding to improve the surfacing and play equipment at Coldside Community Campus, with the goal of creating a safer, more inclusive, and engaging outdoor environment for children, young people, and families in the local community.

The current outdoor play areas are in need of significant upgrades to meet modern safety standards and accessibility requirements. Uneven or worn surfacing poses a risk of injury, particularly for younger children and those with additional support needs. By installing new, impact-absorbing surfacing and upgrading play equipment, we aim to reduce accidents, increase accessibility for all users, and create a more welcoming space for active play and social interaction.

In addition to improving safety, the project will enhance the quality and variety of play experiences available. New equipment will be chosen to support physical development, creativity, and inclusive play, ensuring that children of all ages and abilities can participate. These improvements will encourage more families to use the space regularly, promoting health, wellbeing, and community cohesion.

Importantly, this project also supports the wider vision of Coldside Community Campus as a hub for year-round community engagement. The upgraded outdoor space will serve as a flexible, open-access venue for a range of community-led initiatives, including outdoor learning, family events, and health and wellbeing programmes. By improving the infrastructure, we will enable the campus to host more diverse and inclusive activities, particularly during evenings, weekends, and school holidays.

This investment will have a lasting impact on the Coldside area by transforming the outdoor environment into a vibrant, safe, and accessible space that supports play, learning, and community connection. It aligns with local priorities around improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities, and creating inclusive spaces for all.

Routine site inspections and risk assessments have highlighted safety concerns with the current surfacing, including uneven ground and worn materials that increase the risk of trips and falls. Staff have reported frequent minor injuries during play, particularly among younger children. Additionally, the existing equipment is outdated and lacks inclusive features, limiting access for children with additional support needs. Local health and wellbeing data also supports the need for improved outdoor facilities. Coldside is an area with higher-than-average levels of childhood obesity and lower physical activity rates, as identified in local authority health profiles. Providing safe, engaging outdoor spaces is a key strategy in addressing these issues. Community Engagement: Engagement with families, pupils, and community groups has been central to identifying this project as a priority. Feedback gathered through parent surveys and pupil voice groups consistently highlighted the need for safer, more inclusive outdoor play areas. Parents expressed concerns about safety and limited opportunities for active play, particularly during out-of-school hours.

Local Priority: Urban improvements incorporating environmental seating and shelters

The DISC Target Project is the largest and longest running Evening Diversionary Project in the City of Dundee . It has been running for 23 years . It runs 50 weeks per year , 2-3 evenings per week , and attracts more than 200 Young People though its doors every week. It provides Young people aged 11-19,with a safe , healthy , free and inclusive Diversion activities from Risk taking behaviour , and specifically targets the City's most vulnerable Groups most affected by child poverty . It pro actively targets LAC young people , young carers , young people who don't attend school, young people involved in ASB , unaccompanied child Asylum seekers or refugees or who are experiencing Trauma and mental health problems . Over 70% of the young people attending live within the City's most poverty effected streets and areas. The Project is run outside late at night and provides free food , warm blankets , football boots and warm clothing as a direct response to the food and heat poverty that these kids are experiencing . However they are open to the elements and are often cold , wet unable to stay dry whilst receiving support. OUR PROPOSAL -is that we buy a covered seated enclosure where young people can access our provision all year round but stay warm and dry whilst provided with support , food , warmth and vital support .This will keep our most vulnerable young people safely Diverted with benefits to the whole community . The seated enclosure will be available to all DISC service users 7 days per week (e.g. parents , Morgan pupils during PE lessons and all clubs accessing their local sports centre , thus improving community life and facilities for all . Expected Outcomes: • Increase and improve participants lives accessing learning opportunities facilitated and managed by by Dundee City Council CLD Youth Work (CLD Disc Target Project). • Decrease anti-social behaviour incidents in the community. • Increase number of individuals and groups accessing facilities at DISC. • Improve local Maryfield facilities available for sport and recreation. The outcomes will contribute to the local priority of Improvements to outdoor play and recreation incorporating parks, green spaces and school playgrounds. The contributing factors will be improvement to the number of individuals accessing sport and recreation learning opportunities facilitated by Leisure & Culture and Dundee City Youth Work provision. This will have a positive influence on the strategic priorities outlined in the City Plan for Dundee 2022-32. With young people being able to access quality sport facilities with no cost helps REDUCE child poverty and inequalities in incomes, education & health.

In the last 6 months , over 250 local young people were consulted in a number of occasions about what would make their community better and what could improve areas of their life . Many of the young people consulted came from areas most effected by poverty.  Access to warmth was important especially in winter months and their access to food at nights was also apriority . Almost all of the young people consulted said that the access to the DISC Target Project was very important to them but because it was outdoors they were cold and wet from the rain and elements. Often they only had one warm jacket which if wet would have to be worn to school the next day . THE SHELTER that we are proposing will seat 50 and will include an area where we can provide warm snacks , shelter and vital support and Diversion from harm.

There has been widespread support from the local community for this improvement in local facilities. It is an example of partners ,local people and service providers coming together to identify potential improvements , but a commitment given to managing , maximising use and maintaining this new facility which has anti poverty outcomes as its core outcomes.  

When it rains, they do not have warm clothing to allow them to take part and often go home cold and hungry. This Youth Shelter would help us reduce the effects of poverty for many local young people,

Local Priorities the project will meet: - Urban improvements incorporating environmental seating and shelters

We are seeking funding to transform the historic site of Dundee’s first Calendar Works into a vibrant, youth-led community café and heritage hub. This innovative project, led by Helm’s Youth Collective, will revitalise an underused space into a warm, inclusive indoor and outdoor café with a Mediterranean feel, while also celebrating local history through guided heritage tours. The project will deliver real-world skills, create employment opportunities, and foster community cohesion, with young people at the heart of its design, delivery, and growth. This project will provide: • 15–20 young people engaged annually in meaningful training and employment roles. • Increased footfall and community engagement with the Helm site. • Greater public awareness of the area’s heritage through regular tours and public programming. • A transformed, safe, and attractive outdoor space supporting tourism and wellbeing. • Sustainable income generation through café and tour sales supporting future wages. Currently underused and largely hidden from public awareness, the Calendar Works is Dundee’s first of its kind — a building of significant local heritage with untapped potential. The adjacent courtyard, once overshadowed by a derelict neighbouring property, will be reimagined with Mediterranean-style touches: bistro seating, palm plants, wall art, and canopy lighting, creating a welcoming space for people of all ages to gather, relax, and connect. Alongside the café, young people will develop and lead guided heritage walking tours, bringing the rich industrial history of the site and surrounding area to life. Training in hospitality and heritage interpretation will be delivered by Helm staff and our partners at Dundee Dark Tours, ensuring young people gain high-quality, transferable skills rooted in real-world experience.

With young people leading every stage — from design to delivery — the Helm Café & Heritage Hub will become a powerful model of youth empowerment, heritage celebration, and community transformation at the heart of Dundee.

Many of the young people we support at Helm face significant barriers to education, employment, and social inclusion. These include care experience, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and a lack of stable support networks. What they need most are meaningful opportunities to build skills, confidence, and connection — in spaces where they feel ownership and belonging. Through this project, young people will help bring the site back to life by creating a café and heritage hub that is inclusive, vibrant, and rooted in local identity. It will provide: Real-world employment and enterprise pathways for young people through training, volunteering, and paid roles A safe and inspiring community space that encourages social connection and wellbeing The activation of local heritage through youth-led walking tours and storytelling

We are working in close partnership with Dundee Historic Environment Trust (DHET) and Dundee Dark Tours (DDT) to deliver this project. Both organisations bring significant expertise and credibility in local heritage, and are fully behind the vision of a youth-led community café and heritage hub. In particular, Dundee Dark Tours have generously offered to deliver free professional heritage interpretation training to our young people. This will equip them with the confidence and skills needed to research, design, and lead walking tours celebrating the Calendar Works and surrounding area — offering the community a fresh, authentic insight into Dundee’s past, through the eyes of its future. DHET has also committed to supporting the project’s development, ensuring our heritage offer aligns with best practice and wider city priorities. Their endorsement not only adds value to the initiative but connects us to a growing network of local historians, archivists, and heritage professionals who are excited about the project’s potential. In addition, we are engaging local businesses, Helm staff, volunteers, and our Helm Youth Collective, who are central to the project’s design and delivery. Young people have already contributed ideas for the courtyard layout, branding, and menu, and will take ownership of day-to-day operations, supported by trained staff and local mentors. This joined-up approach — combining youth leadership with expert guidance and community support — is key to the long-term sustainability of the café and heritage hub. Income from the café and paid tours will be reinvested into youth training and jobs, while ongoing partnerships will provide routes into further volunteering, employment, and education. Ultimately, this project is about placing young people at the heart of local regeneration — restoring a hidden heritage site, creating new social enterprise opportunities, and building pride of place. The strong community partnerships we’ve already secured reflect wide-ranging belief in this vision and a shared commitment to making it a success.

Local Priority - Improvements to outdoor play and recreation incorporating parks, green spaces and school playgrounds

We hope to install communication boards in four local parks within the Stobswell area of Dundee: Malcolm Street Park, Baxter Park, Crescent Street Park, and Wee Forest. Communication boards are inclusive tools featuring symbols, words, and pictures that help individuals—particularly non-verbal children, people with speech or language difficulties, and neurodivergent individuals—communicate effectively in public spaces.

This grant will fund the design, production, and installation of durable, weather-resistant communication boards in each of the four locations, ensuring a lasting and visible improvement to public spaces in one of Dundee’s most disadvantaged areas.

This project directly supports community inclusion, accessibility, and wellbeing, aligning with local priorities around improving public spaces and supporting vulnerable groups. The communication boards will make these parks more welcoming and functional for a wider range of users, fostering meaningful participation for families, carers, and individuals who are often excluded from full engagement in community life. This initiative is targeted to Stobswell West as highlighted in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation as experiencing significant levels of poverty and social disadvantage.

The key outcomes of this project will include: Increased accessibility and inclusive use of public spaces Enhanced support for children and adults with communication difficulties Stronger community cohesion through more inclusive design Direct engagement with families living in poverty who may otherwise face exclusion from mainstream services

High ASN prevalence among youth in Dundee According to Scottish Government data, approximately 33.4% of primary pupils and 48.7% of secondary pupils in Dundee are recorded as having at least one ASN. Nationally, about 40.5% of all Scottish schoolchildren have identified ASN. 

Social isolation among young people The Scottish Household Survey (2020) found that 48% of 16–24-year-olds reported feeling lonely at least some of the time. Additionally, the UK’s Office for National Statistics notes that 11.3% of children aged 10–15 say they “often” feel lonely; rates are much higher (27.5%) for those on free school meals. These figures highlight a clear need for initiatives that foster connection and inclusion outside the school environment.

Inclusive play spaces as a solution Installing communication boards in local parks is a practical, low-cost intervention with proven benefits: they support non-verbal or anxious children in expressing needs, understanding park features, and engaging socially. Such enhancements can reduce stress, encourage family outings, and help build peer and community bonds—counteracting both social isolation and exclusion.

Area-specific relevance Our target neighbourhood, Stobswell West, is among Dundee’s most deprived zones (per SIMD). Families here often lack funding for private supports, making improved public amenities vital for young people and those with ASN.

Community-informed need Discussions with local parents, ASN support professionals, and community workers have consistently flagged that recreational spaces lack the visual and communication supports needed for meaningful use by children with ASN. This aligns with both the local demographic reality and national well‑being data.

As the applicant, I bring both professional and personal commitment to this project. I currently work as a Youth Coordinator for a local learning disabilities charity, where I support young people with a range of additional support needs to build confidence, develop life skills, and participate in their communities. I also volunteer with Befriends, a charity that supports children and young people through one-to-one befriending and group activities. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the barriers many families face when accessing public spaces and the importance of small, practical changes that can make a big difference.

This project would directly benefit the young people and volunteers involved in Befriends. Many befriending matches meet in local parks, but for children with communication or sensory needs, these outings can sometimes be overwhelming. Communication boards would provide much-needed support, helping young people express themselves, follow routines, and feel more confident in outdoor environments. They would also give befrienders additional tools to help guide conversations and build relationships.

In addition, this initiative would complement the work being done in local schools, particularly through Enhanced Support Areas (ESAs), where children with significant additional needs receive tailored educational support. Communication boards in the wider community would help reinforce what is being taught in schools and create greater consistency between education and leisure environments.

This project is grounded in lived experience, informed by direct support work, and designed to meet a clear local need. It supports inclusive play, strengthens community connection, and empowers young people with additional needs to take part in everyday life with greater ease and dignity.

We’re excited about the opportunity to deliver a simple but powerful change in our local parks—we believe this project can be a stepping stone toward a more inclusive, welcoming community for everyone.

We are seeking funding to transform a neglected and unsafe area of our community playground in the Lochee Ward—an area identified in the most deprived 10% of the Scottish population according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020. We are seeking funding to transform a neglected and unsafe section of our community playground into a vibrant, welcoming, and safe space for children and families. The current area is overgrown, with broken planters and uneven surfaces that pose safety risks and limit use. Our goal is to replace the hazardous terrain with tarmac for safer play, while retaining pockets of greenery and installing buddy benches to promote family gatherings and community cohesion. Working alongside the school, the Balgarthno Parent Council are excited to try and enhance this area for all the school children and the local community.

A portion of our community playground has become increasingly unsafe due to overgrown vegetation, damaged and unstable planters, and poorly maintained ground surfaces. This area, once intended for communal use, now poses trip hazards and restricts children's ability to play freely and safely. Families often avoid the area, diminishing the overall appeal and function of the playground.

Proposed Solution:

With the requested funding, we will:

• Clear the overgrown vegetation and remove all hazardous structures, including broken planters.
• Tarmac the surface to create a smooth, even, and safe area suitable for a range of activities and accessible to all children, including those with mobility challenges.
• Retain some grassy areas to maintain a natural feel and support biodiversity.
• Install buddy benches to encourage longer visits and community interaction.
• Add bright, cheerful colours to enhance the space visually, making it more engaging for children.

This revitalisation will:

• Improve safety and accessibility for all children.
• Provide a safe space for children and families to play together.
• Encourage outdoor play and physical activity.
• Foster community spirit by creating a shared, inclusive space for all residents.

By enhancing this area of the playground, we will create a safe, attractive, and functional space that benefits the entire community. The transformation will ensure the playground remains a cherished asset for years to come, promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and play.

Local Priority: - Improvements to outdoor play and recreation incorporating parks, green spaces and school playgrounds

We are hoping to improve our school’s outdoor environment, with a focus on creating high-quality play, sports, and learning spaces that support the wellbeing and development of all pupils. Our project will enhance both the physical infrastructure and the educational opportunities available outdoors, while also improving the visual appeal of the school grounds for the wider community. This includes

• upgrading existing play equipment,
• improving landscaping,
• adding features such as shaded seating areas and interactive ground markings.
• resurfacing our current astro pitch and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), which are in need of repair. 
• dedicated zones for outdoor learning that support exploration, teamwork, and creativity across the curriculum. 

The project will enhance the school’s presence in the community. Improving the visual appearance of the playground and grounds from the street will foster a stronger sense of pride among pupils, parents, and local residents, contributing to a more vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood. Expected Outcomes: • Increased participation in physical activity, sport, and outdoor learning. • Safer, more inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities for all pupils. • Improved physical and mental wellbeing of children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. • A more attractive and engaging school environment that enhances the community’s view of the school. • Greater opportunities for community use and connection with the school’s outdoor spaces. The need for this project has been clearly identified through meaningful engagement with a range of stakeholders, including pupils, parents, staff, and the wider school community. As part of our planning process, we actively sought the views of our pupils through class discussions, suggestion boxes, and pupil council meetings. Children expressed a strong desire for a more engaging and inclusive outdoor environment. They highlighted specific areas of concern such as outdated play equipment, worn sports surfaces, and a lack of inviting spaces for outdoor learning and quiet play. Many children shared ideas for improvements, including new markings for games, seating areas, shaded spots, and a better space for sports activities. We are part of the Stobswell Community Partnership which sees our school and grounds being used regularly to support holidays clubs and family events. Our School Parent Group has also been closely involved in discussions about the project. Parents emphasised the importance of high-quality outdoor spaces in supporting children’s physical and emotional wellbeing. They expressed concern that the current facilities do not meet the needs of all learners, particularly those who benefit from outdoor learning and active play. Several parents pointed out that many families in our community have limited access to safe, well-maintained outdoor areas outside of school, particularly those living in SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) Deciles 1 and 2. Staff feedback and playground observations further support the need for improvements. The astro pitch and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) are currently worn and limit both curriculum-based physical education and informal play. Teachers have also expressed interest in having designated outdoor learning zones to support cross-curricular teaching and encourage engagement among a wider range of learners. This consistent feedback from pupils, parents, and staff clearly demonstrates a shared priority: to create a safe, inclusive, and inspiring outdoor space that supports learning, health, and wellbeing for all children in our school community.

Playground Equipment Resurfacings of the MUGA, Outdoor Classroom, Bike Shed, Outdoor Chalkboards x 2, Picnic Table x 5, Bug Hotel Planter x 2, Planters for Decoration x 6, Wellie Storage x 2, Fine Motor Wall Panel, Traverse Panels x 2, Builder Engineer Set, Playground Markings, 3 way hopscotch, Snakes and Ladders, Face Compass Clock, Solar System, Outdoor Boom whackers, Harmony Flowers, Junk Music Wall Trip, Wooden Ring Toss, Giant Dominoes, Wooden Skittles, Boules, Giant Tumble Tower, Giant Four in a Row, Skooter Boards x 2

This is not simply a playground improvement project—it is a commitment to equity, health, and education. By upgrading our MUGA, we will ensure that our pupils have access to safe, all-weather sports facilities that encourage lifelong habits of fitness and teamwork. Through the development of outdoor learning areas, we aim to enrich our curriculum and provide more diverse, engaging learning experiences for all children. We are confident that the project will have a lasting and measurable impact on our school community. The level of support from pupils, parents, and staff is strong, and we have the structures in place to ensure that the space will be well-maintained, fully utilised, and embedded in everyday school life. We are also committed to sharing our success and learning from this project with other local schools and community partners, helping to build momentum for wider improvements to children’s environments across our area. In short, this project will not only improve the physical appearance of our school but will significantly enhance the opportunities and experiences available to every child who learns and plays here. Thank you for considering our application—we are excited about the potential of this project and deeply appreciate your support.

Local Priority: - Improvements to outdoor play and recreation incorporating parks, green spaces and school playgrounds

These building works are necessary to ensure the Centre is welcoming, inclusive, and functional for a wide range of activities. This will allow us to deliver high-quality provision for the local community, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, poor health, and social isolation. Maryfield contains some of the most deprived areas in Dundee. Residents face real barriers to accessing affordable health and wellbeing support. The Kanzen for Life Centre will respond directly to these challenges by providing a safe and inclusive space where individuals and families can engage in physical activity, social interaction, and personal development. The project supports key local priorities by helping to reduce health inequalities, promote community connection, and create a sense of belonging. The Centre will host activities for older adults, young people, and families, with a focus on those most in need. Programming will include free-to-access wellbeing sessions, inclusive physical activity, leadership development, and peer support groups. The development of the building has been informed by local consultation and shaped in collaboration with residents, including young people. Feedback shows there is strong demand for a consistent, high-quality indoor space that enables year-round activities and supports physical and mental wellbeing.

This capital project will help us complete essential works including: internal building improvements, accessibility adaptations, flooring and heating upgrades, energy-efficient lighting, and safe storage.

We would like to highlight the strong community demand and deep organisational commitment behind this application. Our work is community-led, with programmes shaped by local needs and delivered in partnership with trusted organisations. We are proud to have the support of key partners, including NHS Tayside and the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation. The project has the solid support of the Stobswell Forum also. This project is so significant to the Stobswell and Maryfield community, we think it is worth strong consideration. Kanzen for Life is a Living Wage employer and we will be creating 10 new jobs within the centre.

This project links in with the Maryfield priority of ‘Improvements to outdoor play and recreation incorporating park, green spaces and school playgrounds. Our expected outcomes for this project are: • Increase participation of people accessing East Craigie to play football. • Increase participation in females’ access and using the sport facilities at East Craigie. • Increased footfall of people spectating sporting events at East Craigie • Increased footfall contributing to community asset wealth opportunities for East Craigie. Our plan is The plan is to upgrade existing toilet and shower facilities in the existing East Craigie pavilion (1932). East Craigie F.C - Google Maps • Existing building in serious disrepair. • The committee currently looking into suggested layout and facility changes to upgrade the building. • Final scheme will dictate electricity requirements including main distribution board. • Reviewed to accommodate structural engineering inspection and develop options for multi-designated official. Work would include: • Removal of non-structural partition walls • Upgrading shower and toilet facilities • Relocation of laundry equipment including washing machines and tumble dryers The installation of new unisex facilities for match officials and visitors. The installation would include: • Cubicles x3 • Separate toilet and washing facilities • Storage lockers for officials • Upgrades to lighting and heating. • New doors, facings and skirtings. • All surfaces will be wet wall with suspended ceiling.

East Craigie FC are the oldest football club in Dundee. The club is also the oldest junior football club in Scotland. The club was founded in 1880 by mill workers from Wallace Craigie Mill. The club moved from the dock area to their current home in 1932. The club are part of the community and engage in activities to support the promotion of football in the area. We regularly host women at the club through hospitality and as match officials. Our facilities are unfortunately not the standard required. The club is committed to improving changing and toilet facilities for women and girl players, visitors and match officials. East Craigie look to continue and enrich our hosting of groups from the Grey Lodge, Mid-Lin Daycare Centre, supporting elderly and dementia groups. We have an excellent long standing supportive relationship with our neighbours in the allotments. The club has engaged with the Stobswell Forum, who are a local community action group. The club has recently entered into a partnership with Dundee United Social Club (DUSC). This partnership aims to consolidate the club’s community engagement, DUSC have a history of serving areas of multiple deprivation in Dundee and share a similar community ethos with East Craigie FC.

East Craigie are committed to supporting the continuation of football in Maryfield. The clubs’ roots are a century old in the local community. Improving facilities is an essential part of any club’s development. As we move forward to our 150th anniversary as Dundee’s oldest football club, we look forward to welcoming visitors from throughout Scotland, and particularly the Maryfield community. This project will allow East Craigie to work towards our goal of maximising the community wealth opportunities for the benefit of the club and the area it serves.

Local Priority: Improve accessibility and safety to community buildings

Upgrade of community centre toilets. The centre was opened in 2008 and the toilets have not been upgraded since then. This project would allow the centre to have modern toilet facilities that would benefit everyone using the centre. The community centre encouraged use by other projects and workers from health, education, welfare and many others to provide support for local people and having modernised toilets will make for a more comfortable environment for them. The community centre has regular weekly groups for people of all ages and during school holiday periods and christmas celebration events the number of people using the building and toilets increases hugely. We also have two community cafes that provide free melas and support and information for local households. These visitors would benefit from modern toilet facilities being installed.

The community centre is managed by local volunteers and they speak with local people and centre users to get their views on the centre and how things can be improved for them. The need for toilet upgrade has been mentioned by some of the older people using the facilities and the youth workers have shared that the current toilets are no longer 100% suitable for the young people using them due to signs of damp.

Costs

Removal of existing WCs / Urinals & basin unit/shelf. Supply and install new WCs in female and male toilets and disabled WC in separate disabled toilet area. Supply and install new worktop for new basins. Supply and install new basin mixer taps with. Supply and install 2 new urinals with automatic flush system. Supply and install new wet wall splash back to replace tiles. Supply and install new fold down baby changing unit. Test installation (s)

Local Priority: Create safe outdoor and indoor spaces for young people

Planet Youth is an evidence based substance use prevention model. It is a 10 step process which aims to identify risk and protective factors to build a protective environment for children and young people to grow up in. The work is built around 4 domains - Leisure Time, School, Family and Peer Group. Through working with young people at Baldragon Academy over a series of workshops with V&A, Dundee and examining the Planet Youth data it was identified by both pupils and teaching staff that creating safe indoor and outdoor spaces was a priority. YP have disclosed through the work we have completed that there is a lack of places to sit outside and a limited amount of benches with shelter. We would hope with the approval of this application that we could provide a further three outdoor tables and bench set for the playground. This would allow young people to eat their lunch outside and engage positively with their peers. We would also hope that young people would have had a more positive experience over lunchtime, therefore returning to class in a more relaxed state and are more likely to engage with their in their learning. It was also identified by the young people that there is a lack of sporting activities/resources in the playground. Again, through consultation with the wider school community suggestions have been made to invest in basketball nets and a selection of different sporting equipment for the playground. This again would allow young people to engage in a more positive lunchtime and engage them in physical activity in school and encourage team building activities. The PY data also shows that there is a lack of young people participating in physical activity so therefore by creating more opportunity for them it is likely to encourage them to be more physically active. The YP have also identified spaces in school which they would like to create. The young people expressed that lunchtimes can be busy and there is not enough space for everyone in the lunch hall. After pupils presented to Senior Leadership team, it was identified that there was certain spaces pupils could use in school. The hope is this would create a calmer environment for all pupils in school, it would reduce overcrowding in certain areas of the school. Young people have also asked if they can open different departments at lunch. This again would allow young people to engage in a more positive lunchtime and be with their peers.

In 2023 the Planet Youth survey was completed by S3/4 pupils in Baldragon Academy. The survey focuses on four domains: School, Peer Education, Leisure Time and Family. Baldragon Academy has been working in partnership with V&A, Dundee, Barnardo's with the PY Development Officer to look at the Planet Youth data. A mixture of pupils from across S1-6 examined the different statements that came from the data and prioritised 'safe spaces in school'. With the support of the V&A, the young people went on a ‘safari tour' of the school to identify spaces where they felt safe and not so safe in school. Through looking at the pictures the YP were able to discuss with their peers and professionals what it was they liked and disliked about specific places in school. The young people then created prototypes of spaces they would like to see in school such as: using the fitness suite at lunchtime, having somewhere comfy to sit and making more of the outdoor space. The senior pupils then presented to senior leadership team and at assembly to consult the rest of the school. During lunchtime the group created a ballot where the rest of the school could vote on what spaces they would like to see be developed in school. The school voted as follows: Gaming Room- 50% Outdoor Spaces – 50% Movie lunchtime – 40% Fitness suite – 35% Opening departments – 25% Soft furnishings-25% Junior vs Seniors- 10% Other suggestions – set up sporting activities outside, basketball net and opening upstairs.