Young people in Hartlepool turned the idea of making good into something magical by using artwork to transform one of the town’s parks.
Youngsters working with Hartlepool Borough Council’s Youth Justice Team produced 11 artworks for Burn Valley Gardens.
The Gardens, which connect Hartlepool with Family Wood, Summerhill and the wider countryside to the west, already have a Peter Pan theme.
But the new canvases enhance it – while letting the young people, who created them, put something back into their community.
The 13 young people, who produced the artwork, had all been involved in antisocial behaviour (ASB.)
Working on the restorative justice pilot Making Good allowed them to channel their energies and creativity into a project, which improved the community.
The aim of Making Good was to show that it’s more satisfying to make something good and care for the community than to become involved in ASB.
ASB causes bad feeling, fear, disruption and can potentially lead to criminal damage. It can also, ultimately, lead to a criminal record for those involved.
The 18-month Making Good pilot was managed by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Youth Justice Team. The Home Office funded the pilot via a grant to the Office of Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey.
Eye-catching creativity
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey added: “It’s great to see so much creativity on display. I hope all of our Making Good projects have been as eye-catching as this one.”
Councillor Rachel Creevy, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee and Board Member of the Hartlepool Youth Justice Service, said: “I am so proud of our young people for the time they’ve taken to prepare for, and produce, these pieces of art.
“They all look fabulous and I’m sure they recognise the positive impact they have on the environment in the gardens. My thanks also go to the team who supported them to produce these.”
Pilot area
Cleveland was one of 10 pilot areas funded by the Home Office to run the Making Good scheme.
The Government took the decision not to roll out the pilot to all forces across in July 2024. This was due to budgetary constraints.
The pilot saw about £600,000-worth of Home Office funding poured into the Cleveland Police force area.
Guides and Brownies originally presented the Peter Pan statue in Burn Valley Gardens. It makred the coronation of King George VI in 1937.
