Story & Photo:Harry Jenkinson
The Cellar Space provides a therapeutic environment for young people who have been unable to engage with mainstream education.
It offers a personalised programme of activities based on individual strengths and interests, in a safe and nurturing environment at The Furnival, a converted Burngreave pub.
Since opening in 1996, The Cellar Space has worked with hundreds of young people, helping them to return to mainstream education, or into employment. A team of experienced learning mentors, an art therapist, and sessional teachers deliver a curriculum based on the assessed needs of each young person. In recent times 70% of young people referred to us returned to mainstream education, and a similar percentage improved greatly in their social, emotional, behavioural skills.
The team are always looking for new and creative ways to engage young people, and this year have secured funding for new music equipment and developed an exciting new music curriculum. The “music space” was chosen after listening to feedback from the young people. They have been involved in most aspects of this project including choosing what colour we paint our walls!
In June five young people took part in an exciting residential trip to Whirlow Hall Farm. They enjoyed mountain biking in the Peak District, adventure walking and experienced life on the farm. Their feedback was amazing including comments “let’s do this every week” and “I have had the best time EVER!”
Working with some of the most underprivileged and vulnerable young people in the city is a huge challenge, but also a great privilege. It is exciting to see the changes made by a young person, when provided with a safe and nurturing environment. One young person told us “they want to come every day and Cellar Space should be a school”.
For more information please contact https://julie@thefurnival.org