Turning tide on neglect to provide safe spaces for Bristol’s young people

Rain falls on the water-logged court in the corner of Riverside Park, where litter is strewn among the overgrown brambles creeping through the mesh fence.

“Look how many flats overlook this place,” says Khalil Abdi, gesturing at the tower blocks of St Jude’s stretching high above the central Bristol spot.

“This could be used by the surrounding community but it’s not safe. The floor is not stable, it’s got water everywhere – it’s been neglected. People are coming here and smoking and drinking, there are people living in tents nearby. If young people wanted to stay late, the lights are all missing or broken.”

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The court, situated between St Paul’s, St Jude’s and Lawrence Hill, is representative of the lack of facilities and opportunities the city provides for these communities, says Khalil. But the founder of Bristol Horn Youth Concern (BHYC) also sees great opportunity in the area and believes that with enough support, it could be transformed.

“It’s areas like this that the community need to use and, if it was looked after, young people would use it,” he tells Bristol24/7. “And it’s not just this one, but other areas like this.”

Khalil Abdi says the court in Riverside Park is indicative of neglect and lack of opportunities for young people in the surrounding communities

BHYC is a grassroots organisation that works with young people, helping to educate on issues such as knife crime, create opportunities and raise aspirations through sport and other activities. Khalil says one of the biggest challenges is in finding safe, affordable premises for young people in the area.

Umbrella in hand, he gestures at the empty basketball court, saying: “To have this as a proper facility could make a huge difference. People who are isolated, who cannot afford things, they will come here and have a network of young people and chance to improve their skills.

“It could bring people together; everybody can come and enjoy it.” Khalil believes a bit of effort and investment to make the court safe would have a positive knock-on effect on the park itself, saying people of all generations stand to benefit from using the green space.

It is a plan that Bristol City Council has indicated it is supportive of, with talks underway about improvements that could be implemented in the space.

Wandering from Riverside Park towards Cabot Circus, Khalil pauses at the memorial still in place following the death of 17-year-old Tyrone Hayman, who was murdered in Bedminster in December.

Tributes left following the murder of Tyrone Hayman in December 2019

The youth worker says neglect and lack of opportunities are the root cause of street violence, arguing young people from the area need to see they are cared about and not overlooked. BHYC is working to create change at a grassroots level but faces challenges when resources and funding for youth services are so stretched.

“We live in one of the best cities in the world and we want to help and support our young people,” Khalil tells Bristol24/7. “We are working so hard to change because we wanted the change to come from us. We have some people who are supporting us, but we are expected to do more without more support.”

BYHC has strong working partnerships with the police and council, but Khalil says they also need the support of the private sector in terms of providing opportunities and jobs. He points out the disconnect between Cabot Circus and the lack of opportunities for people who live closest to the retail and entertainment quarter.

Mohammed Elsharif, from Bristol City Council’s public health team who works closely with Khalil agrees, saying: “If you look at St Judes in particular, there is no provision for kids around there with all the flats and high rises. There are ideas about how we could use that area around Riverside.

“It’s also ensuring parents are part of this too. There are a lot of people with the skills who should be part of the solution.”

Mohammed adds that it is also important to think about sport provision and opportunities for girls, who can sometimes be left out of activities, and also thinking about how spaces such as community centres and even religious buildings can be better utilised to provide young people with a safe space to go.

Improving existing facilities could make a huge difference to nearby communities, says Khalil

Currently, the space is unsafe and largely unused

Bristol City Council says it is only one of a handful of local authorities that continues to directly fund youth services in the city.

A spokesperson told Bristol24/7: “A £9m contract over three years is delivering targeted support for children and young people in the areas of the city in most need.

“The Riverside Youth Club has provided activities for young people for many years. Early conversations have begun about the potential use of the space at Riverside, for example considering improvements that could be made to the current basketball cage. We will continue to work together with local residents and youth organisations to discuss how the space can be used to best accommodate their needs.

“In the surrounding neighbourhood, Easton Leisure Centre, Empire Boxing Club, and St Paul’s Leisure Centre are all providing vital spaces and activities for young people. Bristol Horn Youth Concern also continue to support young people with provisions in the area, helping them to connect to other spaces in the city such as City Academy.”

Read more: Levelling the playing field in Bristol