REFLECT- WALKDEN TOWN CENTRE – THE DEN & WALKDEN ABC
The Den & Walkden ABC was set up within a large void space, to help tackle anti-social behaviour within Walkden Town Centre and to give young people a sense of place and ownership and a place for them to socialise, learn and be educated. This has provided a hub for many individuals and set them on a positive path, giving them support, guidance and a level of respect.
This initiative was in collaboration with many local stakeholders including, Salford City Council, Salford Youth Services, Salford Community Leisure, Four Housing, and a wide spectrum of youth charities including Maverick Stars charity who have set up the Walkden ABC part of the shared space.
This has helped the centre raise the bar with stakeholder collaboration. Our goal with this was to provide support and a safe space for young people. We have achieved this by being able to provide more focused support for vulnerable young people with specific groups set up for those who are at the highest risk. Walkden ABC boxing gym was opened in March 2021.
It has helped over 500 young people in the local area, with the numbers continuing to grow. It was an initiative that came from the passion of ex-boxer, Jamie Moore, who lives in Walkden. He was keen to work with the centre to deter as many youths as possible from choosing the wrong path of criminal activity.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport have visited to understand how both settings work and how this could be replicated across the country to tackle ASB issues. This has helped over 500 young people in the local area, with the numbers continuing to grow.
