THE return of young people’s sessions in the upper dale this month has been bittersweet following the retirement of a stalwart youth worker after 17 years.
Jen Smurthwaite started as a volunteer when Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) launched youth provision at 2 Horsemarket in 2004 and has been at the centre of its development ever since.
She said: “At the time Bob [Danby, Utass project manager] was the policeman here and it was to try to get the kids off the street because there had been complaints. We started with about 12 kids.
“I have seen them all grow up and have babies themselves. It has been lovely and I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
She was later employed by Durham County Council and said highlights had been trips away and the service earning a High Sheriff’s Award.
Another great experience was the young people helping the police complete riot training, where they acted as protesters.
Ms Smurthwaite said: “It was fun for them because they got to throw things at the police and to shout at them. Ironically, we kept getting invited back because they were the best behaved. The thing that opened their eyes is when the police threw fire bombs at each other and one of them was set on fire. It was the shock of it – it went from video game to real life.”
Later she saw the youth sessions move to the much larger premises in Chapel Row, but she remembers when the building was occupied by a butcher’s shop downstairs and the upper floors were used by the Co-op to sell furniture.
She said: “We have gone from strength to strength. I am going to miss the staff and the kids, especially the kids because you build relationships with them and their parents.”
The youth provision service came into its own during the Covid-19 lockdown, where as many as 67 young people from 42 households received, among other things regular deliveries of ingredients to make their tea.
Mr Danby said: “It proved to be a major hit, so much so that it has been copied elsewhere.”
Also a success were small science projects which were designed by Utass trustee and Middleton-in-Teesdale resident Prof Sarah Elton.
Mr Danby said: “They made buzz bots out of a toothbrush head and a vibrator motor out of a pager. It was really popular even with the adults.
“When they get back together we are going to have bot-wars.”
The youth team was able to organise some face-to-face activities more recently.
Youth lead Gina Richardson said: “In the half-term we had 15 go to Weardale Adventure Centre where we did raft building. That was an absolutely fantastic day.”
All of the activities were presented free of charge through funding from Teesdale Action Partnership, and the science experiments sponsored by the British Science Association.
Sessions at Utass restarted on June 7, with girls aged eight to 13 coming together on Mondays between 6pm and 7.30pm. A mixed group from school year three to age 19, or 25 with disabilities, meets on Thursdays between 6pm and 7.30pm.
Ms Richardson said: “We have changed the way we sign in and parents have to book online because there is a maximum of 15.”
She added that this summer will be a bumper one with nine trips being arranged before the end of August, which are being sponsored by the CCG Fund. Funding is also being sought through TAP to extend the cook your own tea scheme.
Ms Richardson said “We have a lot coming up.”
