Young people speak out about what needs to change in St Jude’s

Abdullahi Hassan’s main concern is that his younger siblings should have better access to facilities and opportunities than he had growing up in St Jude’s.

Standing on Eugene Street one recent Tuesday afternoon, the teenager gestures up at a vast red brick building with boarded-up windows behind him. “This could have a job centre and health centre so mums with young children wouldn’t have to go so far,” he says. “There are a lot of parents out there struggling.”

There are currently no GP surgeries in St Jude’s so residents currently have to travel to Lawrence Hill, Easton or the city centre.

This area, where Abdullahi has lived his whole life, is earmarked for major regeneration with the potential to create up to 1500 new homes, commercial space, community amenities and public realm improvements, according to Bristol City Council’s emerging Local Plan.

Abdullahi Hassan (left) wants to ensure his younger siblings have more opportunities and facilities than he had growing up – photo by Ellie Pipe

Hamze Yonis stands in front of the vast boarded-up building on the corner of  Eugene Street and Vestry Lane – photo by Ellie Pipe

Cubex, the developer behind Finzels Reach, has already set out a vision to transform St Jude’s into “a new, balanced riverfront neighbourhood” under the name Frome Gateway.

Now residents are being asked to give their views on what they want to see included as part of these plans. Bristol Horn Youth Concern, an organisation that works to boost leadership skills and improve opportunities for young people, has been contracted by the council to engage communities in the process of co-designing a neighbourhood that works for all.

“There are a lot of empty spaces and empty buildings and they could be put to better use,” says Khalil Abdi, the director of Bristol Horn Youth Concern and a St Jude’s resident.

Khalil Abdi is hopeful that regeneration plans will bring more opportunities and facilities to St Jude’s – photo by Ellie Pipe

Walking through Riverside Park with a small cohort of teenage boys, he asks them to give their thoughts on how the area could change for the better.

“There should be more spaces for young people; community centres and youth clubs – better ones,” says Hussein Abdilahi.

Expanding on this theme, Abdullahi says: “There’s a lot of space not used properly. We could have places for people to meet each other to keep young people off the streets.

“Most of us have been living here our whole life and we know enough for what could change to make a difference. Most of us have younger siblings as well and playgrounds are over-crowded in summer.”

“Sports centres that are easily accessible for us,” adds another from the group. “We can’t book sports centres regularly because they’re not cheap.”

People of all ages in the area are being asked to help co-design future plans – photo by Ellie Pipe

The teenagers talk about the lack of advice available on training and job opportunities, as well as a need for improvements in Riverside Park – an area they say is currently un-lit, unsafe and under-used.

“That’s just disgusting,” says one member of the group reaching the end of the park, near the M32 flyover, and pointing across the river at a neglected alleyway just off Pennywell Road.

Walking along until they reach Wade Street, the boys point out the mosque, flanked by blocks of flats, which is now too small for the area.

Khalil spoke out earlier this year to highlight the neglect and lack of opportunities for people in the area, despite its proximity to Cabot Circus. He called for a collective effort from the private sector, as well as public and voluntary, to change things for the better.

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Read more: Turning the tide on neglect to provide safe spaces for Bristol’s young people

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Khalil is hopeful the co-design process ahead of the redevelopment will lead to positive improvements for people living in the area.

There’s talk of units for small businesses and support for entrepreneurial projects, a community hub and café, communal garden, health centre, youth centre and careers advice and training.

Khalil is joined by community development managers for Bristol City Council, Mohammed Elsharif and April Richmond. They want to encourage as many people as possible in the St Jude’s area to get involved and give their views.

Because of social distancing measures, they are holding walkabouts with small groups in the neighbourhood. This is just one of many being held over the coming months.

There is also the chance to submit ideas and feedback via email and the community development managers are quick to point out that no definite plans have been decided yet for the area.

“We’re looking at employment space, community space and working with the community to come up with a plan,” says Mohammed.

Aerial view of the site earmarked for the Frome Gateway redevelopment – image courtesy of Spirit PR/Cubex

To find out more, give your views, or organise a walk or meeting, email hornyouthconcern@hotmail.co.uk or april.richmond@bristol.gov.uk.

Read more: ‘I love St Jude’s but it’s as if the area doesn’t exist or matter’