We are a group of young people running a safe nightclub for 11-16 year olds, giving safety information and advice.
Who we are
21 young people, and around 450 coming to SNAP Nights.
Where we're based
Dorchester, Dorset
When we started
Sep-06
How we started
As Dorchester Youth Extra, the youth council, we surveyed our peers who said that there were very few activities for them and it was difficult to access information and advice. Research led us to the SNAP (Say No And Phone) nights, a Crimestoppers anti-drugs initiative combining a nightclub with advice/information. We wrote a proposal, found a venue and gained funding to run Dorchester SNAP Nights.
Our work
Our SNAP nights run once every half term and holiday and twice in the summer holidays. The nightclub is over two floors with the advice and information in the front area. The steering group - including representatives from the youth council, local youth service, PCT, police, council, advice and information service - meets every two months to plan the next SNAP night. The SNAP volunteers do the publicity and work on the night, plus act as unofficial mentors when at school.
Future plans
Our nights will continue to run, with new funding for a minibus to pick up from outlying villages. The next stage is to get young people to officially become SNAP members with a SNAP ID card that can be used locally for age ID.
Project website
http://www.philiplawrenceawards.net
The project has been a success as it has given young people somewhere to go, other than just to hang around on the streets.
Ceri Staplin, aged 16, who co-wrote the project proposal
