Words by Amy Hayes, Co-Director at Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB) / Photograph supplied by UDB
Okay, not me personally; I’m well past 22; but this September marks Urban Devotion Birmingham’s 22nd birthday, so I think that Taylor Swift song might just be our theme tune for the year.
Back in 2003, a group of mostly volunteers took to the streets in Erdington, connecting with young people who were out and about. That led to our very first youth drop-in, and over the years our activities have taken so many different forms.
Some of the parents, aunties, and uncles of the children we now welcome to our drop-ins were young people themselves back then; looking for a space to belong, deepening friendships, sometimes testing boundaries…
It’s such a privilege to have been able to offer safe spaces to multiple generations of children and young people over the past 22 years.
All these years later, we’re still here, and we don’t plan on going anywhere. We remain passionate about Erdington and committed to standing with, encouraging, and supporting children and young people as they grow and discover more of who they are.
We’re just as eager to come alongside parents and carers, cheering them on as they raise these wonderful humans. It’s no easy task!
As we step into our 23rd year, we’d love it to include supporting any children, young people or families you care about who haven’t yet connected with us.
For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org
Urban Devotion Birmingham is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
