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Sparkplug Benefits
The Benefits
Measurable outcomes
Sparkplug programmes aim to produce real, measurable outcomes and mentors help sparkplugs to remain outcome-focused throughout the delivery of their project. For instance, bad weather prevented sailing project Broad Reach from functioning as hoped. However, sparkplug Alan Gormer remained outcome-focused and worked in other ways to set about improving local young people’s behaviour and self-esteem. He and his team of eight adult volunteers worked with the targeted young residents on related activities (such as learning about navigation, ropes and treasure hunts), and enabled three young people to obtain a first aid qualification.
Empowerment
Being a sparkplug is an empowering experience. Acting as a catalyst for change builds confidence and a willingness to take on new challenges. For instance, Chrissy from the Kidsafe project in Bournemouth was initially very reluctant to deliver her sparkplug presentation. Since then however, she has been busy organising community meetings and dealing with council officials, and had no problem speaking at the celebration ceremony.
Greater entrepreneurial thinking
Sparkplugs also have the confidence to think more entrepreneurially. For example, Stan Spreadbury from the Bemerton Heath project found it difficult to deal with council officials, but grew in confidence to such an extent that he was able to barter for free manpower and materials with national businesses and agencies. Danny from Friday L8 is so keen to continue his successful youth club, that with help from his mentor Hilary Marsh and fellow Pewsey sparkplugs, he is exploring funding streams in order to do this.
Greater community cohesion
Each project has contributed towards bringing their communities closer together. All
Sparkplugs have needed to communicate and build partnerships with local statutory
bodies and organisations, and work with businesses, and other projects such as Support
Sport Harnham have brought large numbers of people together. George Denford in Bristol
mentioned that:
“Youths like the ones who hang around drinking don’t really have anything
to do…but it’s amazing to see when you give them something to do how much
they take to it. This has really helped pull the community together.”
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George’s work has proved inspirational to some in his local community, encouraging
others to follow in his footsteps:
“George has done a lot round here, especially for local traders like me,
making us realise that the best thing to do is to get to know the local community.”
(Nadeem Ashraf, manager of Fairways Minimart)
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Fear of crime
When communities are brought closer together, barriers are often broken down and renewed trust and respect are often by products of this. To take the South Petherton youth parish council as an example, this was set up in response to the common assumption that ‘all young people are the same – just hanging around causing trouble.’ Seventeen year old council vice-chair Becky Chant commented that “in the beginning there was a big lack of respect between old and young people. But once we were listened to, we started to feel part of the community.”
Shared learning
With fourteen project prototypes piloted across the region in various settings, dealing with issues ranging from anti-social behaviour to environmental improvements, there are opportunities to transfer the project models - and the learning from these projects - from one area to another. Mentors have been intrigued by the projects taking place in other areas, and are keen that a ‘handbook’ of all projects be compiled and circulated to mentors, in order that good practice can be shared.
Press coverage
All projects attracted – and will certainly continue to attract – positive local publicity. This, combined with the celebration ceremonies where sparkplugs’ efforts are acknowledged and applauded, creates something of a community ‘feel good factor’. By showcasing what innovations average community residents can achieve, this ‘can-do’ attitude often filters down to others; we have already had reports that other people linked to existing projects are keen to build on current projects and set up new ones.
Sustainable outcomes
Most importantly, all fourteen projects either want to build on the work already completed or maintain what has thus far been achieved. Some sparkplugs are keen to set up new projects too – for instance, Danny from Friday L8 wants to set up a separate football spin-off from the youth club.
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