Out & About: Castlemilk Youth Complex

An important part of the work of the CHEX team is keeping in touch with Network members and the work you are involved in tackling health inequalities in local communities.

Earlier in the year Sarah from the CHEX team met with youth workers and volunteers Kirsty, Tony, Ciara and Kayley from Castlemilk Youth Complex and learned about the impressive range of youth and community led health and wellbeing work undertaken by the Complex with local partners.

Led by a Board of young people aged 25 and under Castlemilk Youth Complex has been running for over 30 years – the mission at its heart to give young people a voice, to be seen, to be heard and themselves.

The Complex offers a range of drop in, health and wellbeing, sports, music, creative and learning and development opportunities for young people from across Castlemilk and beyond.

Young people taking the lead

The focus of the discussion during Sarah’s visit was the leadership role that young people play. As well as taking on the governance responsibility for the organisation, young people volunteer in a variety of roles in the Complex including reception and drop-in sessions where more than 100 young people can attend in one evening. Working with local cycling organisations young volunteers assist in leading cycling sessions and teach other young people basic bike maintenance skills along with providing bikes and free access to tools and equipment.

The Youth Complex works with Castlemilk High School and St Margaret Mary High School to deliver a community development course which includes Health Issues in the Community at its heart.

Sarah saw and heard first-hand the impact young people taking part in these courses throughout the years have had on their schools, youth groups and the wider community. Examples of community led health in action catalysed by this partnership included:

Dignified access to free period products in both High Schools
The establishment of a Hygiene Bank in the Youth Complex
Improved street lighting in their local community, improving community safety

Young people’s voices

The team at Castlemilk Youth Complex have a strong commitment to not only ensuring young people’s voices are heard but they are acted upon. And that the priorities and agendas for engagement, participation and activities are set by young people.

Working in partnership with a range of organisations and agencies, and with families and the wider community the Complex are very clear they are not a service.

What I witnessed and heard from the inspirational group that I met with was an impressive example of community led health in action which recognises the skills and assets of young people and through learning and activism fosters social connections, progression for individuals and groups and builds community. Equitable and supportive relationships are built between individuals and organisations which develop and support collaborative working which has made and continues to make real change in the local community.

Community-led health

Community led health as practiced by Castlemilk Youth Complex creates the conditions where young people and their families have built community and exercised influence which has created and continues to drive positive change. They make it look easy, but it takes skill, value-driven practice, courage, tenacity and commitment.

In the current context this work is harder than ever, but these young people are still making it work. And they have fun while they do it. 😊

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