About Street Level Street Level began as a detached youth project in August 1994. The idea was raised by some of the ministers a year or two before, and after many discussions, consultation and prayers, The Street Level Project was born.
The aim was to make contact with the young people "where they were" and a full time Project Leader was appointed to go out on to the streets to meet the young people on their territory and on their terms.
In the beginning there were no grand plans to build a youth centre or a training centre. But, after a few years of meeting with young people and listening to their needs, Street Level came to the conclusion that most of the young folk just wanted "somewhere to go".
The management group, which is made up of people from the six supporting Churches, took the bold step and decided to purchase a disused bar and disco in Carluke that had lain empty for many years.
With a grant from Lloyds TSB and a donation from CHOICES, Carluke Churches' community shop, we were able to buy the building and carry out essential repairs to make it wind and watertight.
And so, in November 1998 the building was opened for all youngsters aged 12-25 as a place they could call their own, socialise, play, learn and basically just chill.
Throughout the history of Street Level the emphasis has been on Partnerships: - Firstly, it was the three Church of Scotland parishes who investigated the possibility then the other Christian denominations became involved - Roman Catholic, United Reformed Church and Baptist. This has been the main reason for the success of the project: the fact that all the main Churches in Carluke are working together for the benefit of all the young people of the town.
- Secondly, the local authority - South Lanarkshire Council - were looking to provide an integrated youth service throughout the district and saw the Street Level building as an ideal outlet for its plans. And so a partnership was formed to the mutual benefit of both organisations but more importantly to the benefit of the young people of Carluke.
- Street Level with Universal Connections (known to the young folk as "Street-beat") is now a focus for young people of Carluke. A place where they can feel safe, welcome and valued. It is staffed by 8 full-time council Youth Workers, 1 full-time and two part-time Street Level staff, volunteers from the various Churches and sessional staff to help cover the busier times.
The title role of Street Level is still very much part of its agenda and two Street Level staff still go out and about, two or three nights a week, meeting the young people on the streets, up the woods, down the burn or wherever they happen to meet.
Jim McIntyre
Project Co-ordinator
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Our Supporters The initial grant from Lloyds TSB was essential in allowing us to purchase the building but the ongoing support from the local Churches, (Saint John's Church of Scotland, Kirkton Church of Scotland, Saint Andrew's Church of Scotland, Saint Athanasius' Roman Catholic Church, Carluke United Reformed Church, Kirkstyle Baptist Church) and of course the invaluable cotributions made by CHOICES charity shop, ensure the continuation of the project.
We are also extremely grateful to all the local businesses who assist us throughout the year and the various organisations and community groups who very generously donate money to our project. I would like to list them all but I'm afraid I might forget some of them so rather than offend anyone I'll settle for offending everyone!
However, I would like to single out the donations from young people themselves: Carluke High School and Crawfordyke Primary School. The people who attend these schools nominated Street Level as their chosen recipients for the money they raised for charitable causes.
We would also like to thank the wider community who turn out to our annual fundraisers such as - Sponsored bike rides, silent auction, dinner dance and annual praise nights.
Street Level is also grateful to South Lanarkshire Council, our partner, who have given us a variety of grants over the years.
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