A POEM BY YPEG (Young People's Executive Group)
Blackpool; a small Northern town right by the sea
A fun, exciting and busy place to be
Bright lights, fast rides and sandy shore
Arcades, the tower and ice-cream galore
However, behind the glamour there is a different scene
Growing up in Blackpool can be quite mean
Low employment, low income and low school marks
Young people feeling the pressure means poor mental health can start
HeadStart is more than a project, resilience more than a word
This is a wellbeing revolution and we are keen to be heard
This is not just a bid, it's our story of change
A symbol of our commitment a journey of wide range
Bouncing back, bouncing forward no challenge too small
HeadStart empowers young people and families to give it their all
Resilience is a philosophy, a different way of life
Giving and seeking support when need to get through trouble and strife
Young people, we are partners and equal voice throughout
Our involvement has had an impact, given the work massive clout
From budgets and commissioning to recruiting new staff
Evaluating projects, training residentials and having a laugh
HeadStart has grown incredibly in our two pilot years
The learning has been phenomenal; through blood, sweat and tears
Different people and services all coming together
Working hard to put young people and their health on the map forever
Young people at meetings has been a learning curve
The impact of sharing our experiences should never be swerved
We add a different perspective of the 'young people' kind
We have often taken over, although we're sure no one minds
Our work for phase three is very exciting
Innovative ways of working make system change inviting
Whole school approaches to make education stronger
Support for families in their homes to keep them together longer
Making communities more inclusive for all
Ensuring the message of resilience stands proud and tall
Creative therapies and thinking outside of the box
Resilience coaches ensuring resilience rocks
For us as individuals our journey has been immense
Our confidence has grown and our passion does not relent
To have our voices heard makes us feel on top of the world
We have overcome so many challenges and our true talents have been unfurled
We hope you read our submission with an open heart and mind
We think it's pretty fantastic, a total one of a kind
HeadStart in Blackpool matters a great deal
Our learning is ongoing and our commitment to it real
When five years are over and all the money is gone
HeadStart won't fade away the message will remain strong
Young people and families at the heart of the team
Making our vision a reality, no longer a dream
(Blackpool Big Lottery Fund Bid Submission, August 2016)