Claremont Street recently became the focus of community attention after a local youth creatively transformed graffiti into impressive lighthouse-themed stencil art. This effort has restored the area’s appearance and offered one of the children involved a chance to make amends and give back to their community.
Several months ago, parts of Claremont Street were defaced with graffiti, causing disappointment among residents. In response, Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) collaborated with the Youth Offending Team and Make Amends, a restorative justice initiative, to address the issue and provide the youths responsible with a constructive way to rectify their actions.
During the restorative process, one of the young people expressed an interest in making amends and was supported by PCH and the Youth Offending Team to create something positive. With spray paint and stencils provided, the youth transformed the defaced surfaces into lighthouse-themed art, bringing a fresh and uplifting look to the neighbourhood.
Richard Parker, Environmental Services Charge Hand from Plymouth Community Homes, credited Ian Kellaway, Ranger at Plymouth Community Homes, for his key role in identifying the youths responsible.
“Ian demonstrates the company's core values, he's an asset to our city centre team and his ongoing vigilance and professionalism set an example for Environmental services his team and PCH as a whole."
Sarah Chidgey, Housing Officer at PCH, mentioned the positive impact of the initiative: “I’m very pleased that these young people were given the opportunity to recognise their mistake, apologised with sincerity to those they affected, and were able to have redemption by not only correcting their own mistakes but going further to contribute positively to the community. Thanks to all partners involved that assisted in giving these young people the chance to do this.”
The youths also participated in sessions with Make Amends, where they reflected on the consequences of their actions.
One of them wrote a letter of apology, stating: "I now understand the ripple of harm this caused to you, your residents, and the community. Again, I am really sorry for my actions, and I will never do it again."
Ian Taylor, Service Manager at the Youth Justice Service said: "Sometimes, children’s behaviour results in contact with the Youth Justice Service. Reparation is used to prevent children from committing further offences by helping the child understand the effect of the crime on the victims and repaying society for the effects of their behaviour.
Whilst reparation can be seen as a punishment, the service also tries to engage the children in activities they are interested in and seeks to show the children ways of behaving that do not involve offending but allow them to pursue their aspirations.
The four posts had been graffitied, a child working with the service was interested in art, therefore, they were given the task of improving the appearance of the area and a lighthouse theme was chosen. Experience shows, that when an area has been graffitied, replacing the graffiti with artwork often prevents the graffiti returning."
This collaborative effort not only restored Claremont Street but also provided the young individuals in focus with a constructive outlet for their creativity and a chance to reintegrate positively into the community.
