Damage Two-Step
Hanging round with your mates…or threatening the neighbourhood? In an age when anti-social behaviour and fear of crime are two of the biggest problems facing the local community, a new approach is being pioneered by arts organisation, Act On It.
Working together with The Safer Wealden Partnership, Wealden District Council, East Sussex Police, Wealden Residents Forum and the Local Strategic Partnership, Act On It is organising a series of drama-based workshops called Damage Two-Step which allow young people to see how their reactions can be viewed and sometimes misinterpreted from the outside.
“We are looking to educate young people about the fear of crime and so engender a sense of social responsibility,” said Act On It’s Helen Turner. “Large groups of teenagers congregating in the evening can unnecessarily lead to fear of crime in the community, but it can also lead to needless acts of anti-social behaviour. By getting young people involved in their own drama, we can explore how situation can change and what control individuals can have on such occasions.”
Over the coming months the project will involve youngsters from Uckfield, Crowborough, Willingdon, Heathfield and Hailsham in exploring the issues concerning fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. It will go on to explore the effect fear of crime has on a group of elderly residents and then try to bring the two sides together to share their reactions and experiences.
“Damage Two-Step is great project,” said Councillor Mrs Pam Doodes, vice chairman of the Safer Wealden Partnership. “It encompasses the young and old in a positive way, bringing together a better understanding of both generations. It works by breaking down any fear and suspicion through role play and showing the different perspective from both sides.”
A pilot session of Damage Two Step, supported by the Co-operative Community Fund, will take place at Heathfield Community College and involve the local youth group and Police Community Support Officers. It will help develop the format to be used in other Wealden schools and sheltered housing schemes.
It is hoped to combine the contribution of all the schools involved in a performance of Damage Two-Step at Hailsham early in 2006.
