Sylvan is the choice of youth
A Rugby youth worker collected a prestigious award from the House of Commons last month.
Sylvan Stewart from Warwickshire County Council’s Youth and Community Service, was named Adult Youth Worker of the Year at the British Telecom Seen and Heard awards ceremony held in Westminster on 17 December.
Syvan received the award for his work with young people aged 13-18 on the West Midlands music venture, Rootz & Culture Studio Project. The project involved setting up a recording studio at Hill Street Youth and Community Centre in Rugby to engage with disadvantaged young people from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
Through exploring the young people’s heritage in search of positive role models, Sylvan soon discovered that music was their true passion, and one of the few ways that rival groups could communicate. Once this became clear he encouraged the group to apply for funding from a range of sources. Their application was successful and together they created their own studio.
By finding a space for them to focus their energy, Sylvan made it possible for the young people to break down their barriers and find common ground.
Since the studio began, street violence involving young men has decreased, and the group are already making plans to take their recording career to the next level.
Talking about the project, Sylvan said: “I find my work incredibly rewarding and feel honoured to receive this award in recognition of Rootz & Culture. The success of this project is largely down to the young people’s enthusiasm and willingness to put differences aside to work together. Music can be used to break down barriers and the youngsters found this to be a great way to communicate with each other.”
Warwickshire County Councillor, Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “I am so pleased to see this excellent project receive recognition. Sylvan has provided opportunities for these young people to work together in purposeful and responsible ways giving them freedom to make their own decisions and get creative.
“The youngsters enjoyment of the experience is evident in their plans to continue developing the project and using the resource.”
Seen and Heard is a partnership between BT and the UK Youth Parliament, the campaign recognises and rewards the achievements of young people who have made a real difference to their own lives and the lives of others, and of adults who have listened to and acted upon the voices of young people.