HeadSpace
copyright Bolton Council
HeadSpace is the project that proves that we can successfully put young people at the heart of projects meant for them.
Working in partnership with young people, libraries and youth services we've created places where young people aged 11 to 19 can read, listen, surf and chill. It is a place where the experience of enjoying reading can be shared, where young people can meet others, take part in positive activities, volunteer, seek information and inspiration, or simply pick up a book and enjoy a drink and a snack.
We are currently working with 20 local authorities where HeadSpaces are being developed and run in equal partnership between young volunteers and their local libraries. Over 700 young people have already been involved in choosing books and other stock, deciding how the HeadSpace looks and delivering the activities that go on in their libraries.
HeadSpace provides a model for delivering the national Library Youth Offer and is meeting the urgent need up and down the county for free, safe spaces where young people can take part in positive activities. It gives a clear message that young people are welcomed in libraries and their participation is valued.
It's been particularly successful at getting young people who are socially excluded involved.
Sign up
Any library that is refurbishing or building a new library space can sign up to HeadSpace and get all the consultancy, training and support needed to involve young people.
For more information about how to develop your own HeadSpace download further information from Resources. There's information for public library authorities and for authorities that are already running HeadSpaces. Or contact Liz Roberts, project manager.
"It's really good that we've got the HeadSpace, because there is nothing to do for young people locally - you would be amazed how many young people come to the library on a now we have got our own space."
Khalid Amin, young volunteer at HeadSpace Haslingden
Other support for young people
HeadSpace is part of our package of programmes to support work with young people.
Anyone working with young people, librarians, teachers, youth workers, education officers, etc, can subscribe to our innovative social reading website - groupthing.org. groupthing provides creative opportunities for young people to read, review, write, listen, chat and create original work.
Alternatively, libraries can join all their work with young people together by signing up to our new modular programme, Participate.
Open (ing) HeadSpaces
The first HeadSpaces have already opened and lots more will follow up until March 2010. Eventually there will be a HeadSpace in (those marked in bold have already opened):
East Midlands
Buxton Library, Derbyshire
Corby Library, Northamptonshire
Worksop Library, Nottinghamshire
North West
Halewood Library, Knowsley
Halton Lea Library, Halton
Haslingden Library, Lancashire
High Street Library, Bolton
Longsight Library, Manchester
South East
Burgess Road Library, Southampton
Café IT, Folkestone, Kent
Crawley Library, West Sussex
High Wycombe Library, Buckinghamshire
Lordswood Library, Medway
South West
Barcode Youth Café, North Somerset
Central Library, Swindon
Efford Library, Plymouth
Hartcliffe Library, Bristol
Lyme Regis Library, Dorset
Melksham Library, Wiltshire
Padstow Library, Cornwall
"We'll be there in the library for when a child or teenager comes in - we will be talking to them about books and suggesting books that we think they will really like. HeadSpace is going to make a difference." Sameeha Patel, volunteer at HeadSpace Bolton"
