03-08-2025
Youth charity works with council to promote young voices
A youth charity has teamed up with South Oxfordshire District Council to deliver a number of projects this year.
Didcot TRAIN is working with the council's Didcot Garden Town team to ensure young people have an influence on work being delivered in the town.
Ben Drabble, CEO at Didcot TRAIN, said: "Our youth club's been buzzing.
"Paint, plants, music, ideas flying everywhere. Our young people stepped up, got creative and left their mark on Didcot.
"We're proud of what they've made and how they've made it happen. Big thanks to South Oxfordshire District Council for believing in the power of youth work."
The partnership is supporting the Didcot Garden Party, a summer programme that highlights health, wellbeing, active lifestyles, and sustainability.
As part of this programme, an artist has been commissioned to work with young people on a public art display at Cornerstone Arts Centre.
Didcot TRAIN and Sustainable Didcot also helped to install recycled steel planters and reclaimed hardwood benches outside Cornerstone.
The artwork in a window at Cornerstone (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)
A Didcot TRAIN workshop with artist Tom McLean (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)
Nine young people from Didcot recently embarked on a three-day sailing adventure across the Solent, accompanied by youth workers from TRAIN.
The trip was funded through the district council's Councillor Community Grant Scheme.
Councillor Tony Worgan, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: "It's fantastic to see such creative and collaborative projects taking shape in Didcot.
"By working closely with Didcot TRAIN and other local partners, we're not only investing in our public spaces but also empowering young people."
