Peer Education/Research

What is the Project?

Young White Working Class Research Project
Fitzrovia Youth in Action will be consulting with 40 white young people between the ages of 13-19 from across Camden. We have been setting up focus groups with schools and youth clubs to explore some of the following issues that concern white young people in Camden:

• Identity
• Community Cohesion
• Integration
• Attitudes towards others
• Education

 

A short report on the implications of the research as well as recommendations from the research and ill present this to Camden’s Equalities and Diversity Team.

 

We have also been working on a special ‘On Road’ youth magazine edition. A group of white young people have been writing have had the opportunity to write articles on some of the areas which have been explored by the focus groups/research. They have also been filming video clips for the FYA website.

 

What is the need for the project?

The experiences of young people from white working class communities are worth looking at for a number of reasons.  People from white working class backgrounds have made enormous contributions to our society/ community.  Just like people from ethnic minority groups should celebrate their culture and heritage, people from white working class communities should feel proud of their identity and feel that their contribution to society and popular culture is recognised and appreciated.   By finding out more about the experiences and attitudes of white working class young people, we hope the research will help show the similarities of experiences and improve understanding between different cultural groups.  The BNP have signalled their intention to stand for council ward elections in Camden and although their current level of support is small, this research will help identify whether there is currently much sympathy for their message among white working class young people in the Borough.

 

When did the project start?

This project started in June 2009

 

What are the benefits of the project?

Through this project we hope to show the similarities of experiences between young people of white working class backgrounds and other cultural groups in Camden.  We hope to show the positive contribution that white working class people have made to the community and help provide a platform for young people to share these experiences with the wider community.  Through work like this, we can help prevent young people from feeling isolated, resentful and becoming at risk of radicalisation by organisations with a racist and devise agenda.

 

Who is the project open to?

The project involved young people from white British families (including from Irish backgrounds).

 

The young people were all 13-19 years old and from working class backgrounds who live, work or go to school in Camden.

 

Where can I get more info?

You can contact Donovan at Fitzrovia youth in Action.