Two of the adaptations of my article

Article 1 adaptation- Redraft (adults)

Is the Youth of today are really hopeless?

Youth. What do you think of when you hear the word youth? How do you feel, knowing that thousands of children across the UK are left to feel neglected from the impact of their Youth Clubs Closing down?

Children have undivided attention from members of staff 6 days week. Youth Clubs have always been known for their good tributes to hundreds of events each year which includes:

·         fund raising for hundreds of charities

·         summer trips such as going to Thorpe Park

·         Also lots of weekly activities such as swimming to keep the children active.

Each day the children have many facilities to look forward to for example:

·         cooking different types of dishes

·         playing computer games such as Play station

·         many Arts and crafts activities

·         Sports such as football.

The reason why Youth clubs close down is normally for government cuts; as the government can’t afford to keep the youth clubs open which has caused a lot of trouble for youth club workers and the children that attend to the youth club as they argue that it isn’t fair and selfish. People have quoted that the government should spend their money on important needs such as keeping Youth clubs open; than spending money on irrelevant things that won’t help with the citizens of the UK.  In the past many Youth clubs have made protests to try and stop the government closing down their club. Some have preceded and some haven’t. Other reasons why youth clubs have been closed is because people have argued, quoting “There are more important things that could be used in this space than a youth club” and people have listened to them and closed them down.

As a result of youth clubs closing down, the consequences are detrimental to the community as children are left to wonder the streets and get into mischief, unattended. This is a huge problem as the youth’s crime rates have recently increased; and because of this, the older generation stereotype youth’s and automatically think that they are criminals. Youth clubs try to prevent all of these issues, and if these issues do happen, they have the support from the workers. They also support the children with social and emotional needs and also help with important stuff, such as homework if children don’t have home support. Children feel lonely and instead of speaking to someone they can trust, they have no one so they bottle everything up inside and make things worse for themselves. Imagine how you would feel if this was your child, or a member of your family? Would you still think closing down Youth clubs was a good idea? This issue needs to be sorted out as this is a huge problem and it is only going to become worse, if nobody comes up with a resolution and help these children with stability.

Last week Culture East organised a competition for people all ages to open up about their experience with youth clubs, whether their youth club is closed down, or open. Michael is fortunately one of the winners that had the opportunity to tell such an amazing story. 

Michael Josephs is 14 years old and he has already had to deal with so much in his little life already, with his mother dying at a young age, not knowing his father. And being separated from his siblings. Things got tough going to school, being bullied for countless years. His life became better after joining ‘Mansfield Youth Club’. He’s life has recently gotten bad as his local Youth club closed down.

Interviewer: What was your childhood like?

Michael: It was terrible. At the age of 6 I had to move into a care home in East London called ‘Olive Tree House’; as my mother got really sick and eventually died of Leukaemia. My siblings and I got separated and live in the care home was dreadful as I was bullied badly. Things were worse at school being beaten at least once a day.

Interviewer: How did this make you feel?

Michael: Well I was really young so at the time I didn’t understand. I just knew that things wasn’t going to be the same and that I would no longer see my mother. I guess I felt confused about the whole situation, it just felt like she was here and then she was gone. My life was good then bad. When I got a bit older I realised that I couldn’t trust anyone as all I’ve known is just coldness and empty promises.

Interviewer: When did you start coming to Mansfield Youth Club and when you joined how did you feel about the help you were receiving?

Michael: I was actually 12. I started going there because one of the workers Rose, helped me after I was being attacked by one of my usual bullies. She took me to ‘Mansfield’ and cleaned my nose. After she guided me for a tour around the building and started with the kids. In the end I had to join and I did.

Rose, the woman that helped me. She gave me the most help. She helped me finish my school work and also with other things like confidence and happiness. She saw potential in me, especially with my art she told me that I would make it one day and for once I believed her. I guess the feelings that I was experiencing was shock and confusion and probably happiness because for once in my life since my mum had died, I had people who cared and loved me for me and for me that is all I had ever wanted.

Interviewer: How did you feel when you found out the youth club was closing down? And how do you feel now that you’re going through life without that extra help?

Michael: Well I obviously felt heartbroken, this place taught me everything I know from pride to courage. I was going to miss this place. I also felt portrayed from the government I knew that they didn’t need to close the youth club down. This place has helped hundreds of lives as it is, what was the purpose of closing it down?

Because of Mansfield I now know how to be confident and to be myself. But I still miss that place. At the moment I am coping but I’m not sure what I am going to do next.

Mansfield will never be forgotten in my heart

If you want to help people like Michael get all the help he needs please do something about it and join this petition:

Youth engagement Project

Click here for more information: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=petitions+for+keeping+youth+clubs+open&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:IE-Address&ie;=&oe;=&gfe_rd=cr&ei=Tek_WfarCqaB3gOOx5vYDw&gws_rd=ssl#q=petitions+for+youth+clubs]&spf=1497360734190

 Article 1- adaptation redraft (Government officials)

Do government officials really care?

Do you really understand shutting down youth clubs?

I understand that government cuts had to be made, due to a variety of different reasons such as school and the NHS. However I feel this is not right due to the cut backs which lead to areas that youths use been shut down. Why should they suffer? The cutbacks have had a severe effect on both youths and the employees who had worked in those youth clubs. The public understand why cutbacks had to be made and what they are being used for but the fact of the matter is, the affect can be more hurtful on others than the minority of youth club attenders.

Michael Josephs is 14 years old and he has already had to deal with so much in his little life already, with his mother dying at a young age, not knowing his father. And being separated from his siblings. Things got tough going to school, being bullied for countless years. His life became better after joining ‘Mansfield Youth Club’. He’s life has recently gotten bad as his local Youth club closed down.

Interviewer: What was your childhood like?

Michael: It was terrible. At the age of 6 I had to move into a care home in East London called ‘Olive Tree House’; as my mother got really sick and eventually died of Leukaemia. My siblings and I got separated and live in the care home was dreadful as I was bullied badly. Things were worse at school being beaten at least once a day.

Interviewer: How did this make you feel?

Michael: Well I was really young so at the time I didn’t understand. I just knew that things wasn’t going to be the same and that I would no longer see my mother. I guess I felt confused about the whole situation, it just felt like she was here and then she was gone. My life was good then bad. When I got a bit older I realised that I couldn’t trust anyone as all I’ve known is just coldness and empty promises.

Interviewer: When did you start coming to Mansfield Youth Club and when you joined how did you feel about the help you were receiving?

Michael: I was actually 12. I started going there because one of the workers Rose, helped me after I was being attacked by one of my usual bullies. She took me to ‘Mansfield’ and cleaned my nose. After she guided me for a tour around the building and started with the kids. In the end I had to join and I did.

Rose, the woman that helped me. She gave me the most help. She helped me finish my school work and also with other things like confidence and happiness. She saw potential in me, especially with my art she told me that I would make it one day and for once I believed her. I guess the feelings that I was experiencing was shock and confusion and probably happiness because for once in my life since my mum had died, I had people who cared and loved me for me and for me that is all I had ever wanted.

Interviewer: How did you feel when you found out the youth club was closing down? And how do you feel now that you’re going through life without that extra help?

Michael: Well I obviously felt heartbroken, this place taught me everything I know from pride to courage. I was going to miss this place. I also felt portrayed from the government I knew that they didn’t need to close the youth club down. This place has helped hundreds of lives as it is, what was the purpose of closing it down?

Because of Mansfield I now know how to be confident and to be myself. But I still miss that place. At the moment I am coping but I’m not sure what I am going to do next.

Mansfield will never be forgotten in my heart

In conclusion to this, the public understand why cutbacks have been made. However the closing of youth clubs have affected the youth attenders very much to the extent that they resolve to violence and crime in order to pass their time and they think that it is okay to do and get away with. But is this really the case? Think about it, if there was youth clubs still open no matter how small, or location the crime rate of teenagers would be less than what it is currently at. Many cutbacks have been made for good reasons and have gone to good organisations however there must be some funds that must be available/left over for other organisations such as youth clubs to be open. Parents constantly complain about the crime rates or their child being a victim of a crime that has taken place but this can all be stopped with a simple opening of a youth club. It may not even have to be funded by the government for as long as it is open. The government can open it, then the public can carry on paying for it.

 If you want to help please do something about it and join this petition:

Youth engagement Project

Click here for more information: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=petitions+for+keeping+youth+clubs+open&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:IE-Address&ie;=&oe;=&gfe_rd=cr&ei=Tek_WfarCqaB3gOOx5vYDw&gws_rd=ssl#q=petitions+for+youth+clubs]&spf=1497360734190