SIMY

SIMY is a Youth work project. It is managed by a partnership represented by The International Christian College, Martyrs Church in Townhead and LifeHope. It is concerned with helping young people reach their potental through developing a community of practise. It was founded in 2004, out of two different youth and children's project that worked out of the local church in Townhead and St Rollox church in Sighthill, Glasgow. St Rollox church left the project in 2005. The work continued in Townhead where most of the partnership had been involved in Youthwork since 1999.

After the change to focusing on Townhead, SiMY Developed a Detached Youth work project by working with the local community police, the Prince's Youth Trust and the city council. For participants, there are 2 centre based youth work projects called "The Hub" as well as specific support like the Exam support program, Employability services (in conjunction with PYT, Fairbridge and West Glasgow Employability). In St Roch school the team work with the pastoral staff to help young people during lunch breaks and at special events.

SiMY is involved in the Townhead Estate management group, the community partnership, the area youth work partnership and the village hall project.

The project is mainly staffed by local volinteers.

Since 1999, the volunteers have partnered with ICC to provide a practise location for 2 part time youth worker students and 1 research student who are on the BA in Youth work with applied Theology (accredited by Aberdeen university). The research added to the reflective cycle approach to youth work provision and response. It shape the SiMY work and also provide the research support to other groups in the area.

2007-2008 research work include "Breaking the cycle" action research in to Townhead's young people response to Alcohol and the driving force behind the continuing use and misuse of alcohol in Townhead. A report that highlights key ways forward for shaping a youth work response that can break the cycle."Young people's response to the village hall project", "2008 Community Audit".

2008 and beyond. SiMY has secured a small grant to investigate how other small churches can use partnerships to meet the youth work needs of a community. They are current seeking funding to continue their research, detached youth work and network partnerships to reduce the impact of alcohol has on young people's lives and their community. They are also seeking funding to employ full time youthwork staff to continue their weekly youth work provisions.

External links

*International Christian College [http://www.icc.ac.uk/]
*Central and West Youth work providers [http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/YoungGlasgow/12to18/Activities/WestGlasgow/PartickWestHillheadAnderstonCity/Area+2+Youth+Networks.htm]