10
News
mojatu.com
Shiefton Youth Group and Supplementary School
30 Year Anniversary Celebrations
Not many BME organisations can say they have
reached the milestone of 30 years’ service for
youth community work in Nottingham. Shiefton
Youth Group and Supplementary School can. So
on Saturday 20th July 2013, Shiefton celebrated
thirty years in educating youth people in the
community of Nottingham.
Shiefton was formed in June 1983 in response
to the need for youth provision in the city. Based
in a red bricked, Victorian school building, now
Radford Unity Complex on Lenton Boulevard,
Nottingham, Shiefton was previously housed
on Ilkeston Road ( ‘Rad Y’) and at the John Carroll
Leisure Centre.
Nottingham City Council rented the disused
building to Shiefton in the late 1990s on a shared
basis with three other organisations.
Over 90 students currently attend Shiefton, aged
6 to 16 years. They get extra support in core
curriculum subjects like Maths, English and ICT, in
addition to cultural essentials like African studies.
The word respect is very vibrant at Shiefton
“Neville Cook requested the help of Professor Gus
John to support the organisation of a constitution,
aims and objectives to form the organisation.
Shiefton was born through that,” said Derrick
Senior one of its founding organisers.
Carleen Stewart, treasurer and on the management
committee added, “Shiefton’s success is based on
the dedicated support from volunteers, parents
and tutors. Each Saturday, the tutors turn up
and teach on minimum expenses. We are an
organisation where people pull together.”
Winston Rose has been in involved with
Shiefton for thirty years and teaches karate and
football classes. “We have helped to produce
lots of professions; former students have gone
to university and travel over the world teaching
karate. Shiefton is home to an array of youth
activities for six days a week, “remarked Winston.
Dedication
Fitzroy Tate has also assisted the valuable work
at Shiefton for over twenty years. “It has been
a good experience working with the young
people here. There is always an energy working
with them, being with them,” says Fitzroy.
“When you see the transition of young people
going through school, then to college and into
professional jobs and enterprise, this is what
keeps me going.”
The thirty-year celebration and family fun
day was officially opened by the Lord Mayor,
Councillor Merlita Bryan who gave her support
and continued encouragement for the education
of young people in the city.
Children and visitors were treated to an array
of freshly barbequed food: roast corn, yam and
sweet plantain (provided by Gilbert Stewart
catering), jerk pork and roast chicken. Visitors
could purchase African clothing, jewellery and
enter a raffle.
Angela Reid, a coordinator and youth worker
at Shiefton since 1988 said, “Despite limited
funding we have remained strong and receive
Nottingham connected
support through the blessing of the community,
volunteers and donation. Nottingham City
council supports us today as well as Tuntum
Housing Association and the British Heart
Foundation,” said Angela.
“We need to refurbish the building and invest in
the purchase of the building. For example, we
need showers installed. This is an investment for
the next generation,” says Winston Rose, backed
by Derrick Senior who also felt that purchasing
the building was the only way forward.
Shiefton is currently in the process in attempting
to purchase the building after being give notice
to leave the building in 2011.
How can the public help Shiefton?
“The community can support Shiefton to go
from strength to strength and reach another
thirty years youth service by making a donations,
offering funding, giving time and sharing skills
for the development of our day time service,”
says Angela.
If you can help email: [email protected] or
make a donation at www.shiefton.com
Join Community Partnership
Forum today and start
contributing to the various
themes and activities of
the African / Caribbean
community!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Arts & Culture
Children & Young People
Family, Women & Education
Faith & Crime
Health & Housing
Youth
Finance & Credit Union
www.cpfnottingham.com
11