Platform 51

what we do

Platform 51 Knowsley

Platform 51 Knowsley is in a deprived area with high rates of unemployment, truancy, teenage pregnancy and anti-social behaviour.

We welcome all girls and women from the area and run programmes for those who: may have dropped out of school; have low aspirations; behave anti-socially; have been bullied or abused; are isolated or unemployed; are young mums and mums-to-be; and users of alcohol and drugs.

We encourage everyone who comes to Platform 51 to have their say, take part, make decisions and share opinions. For some girls it’s the first time they’ve ever been asked what they think. We make it possible for them to take part in events, campaigns and volunteering, and have a go at new things for themselves, their families and their community.

Our accredited education programmes are run in a relaxed atmosphere in which we teach literacy, numeracy, computer training and useful life skills such as managing on a budget, managing anger, staying safe and sex education. Courses for young mums and pregnant teenagers teach parenting and life skills and offer support, information and the chance to get their work accredited.

Crime and disorder is common in the area and can easily influence the girls and women living here. Working closely with the community police and council wardens, our outreach workers go out at night and meet girls in the places where they congregate. They talk to them and encourage them to come to our centre, where it’s warm, dry and safe, and where they get chance to do interesting things. Read more about our Getting girls out of gangs project.

We offer peer support and friendship; outdoor activities;confidential counselling; give information and support about education, health and wellbeing, skills and jobs; beauty therapy and massage sessions have fun and build confidence.

In this film the girls who go to our centre in Knowsley explain how Platform 51 has helped them take control of their lives:

 

Creche

Sadly we do not have a creche at our centre in Knowsley. We can sometimes help with arranging free childcare for women accessing our services.