Training for Tyrone
YOUTH WORKER ANTON SETS UP TRAINING HUB IN MEMORY OF TEEN WHO DIED FROM KNIFE WOUND
AYOUTH worker has used his own money to set up a training hub in memory of a teenager who died in Bristol last year.
Tyrone Hayman, 17, was killed after suffering a fatal knife wound in Bedminster on December 14, leaving his family devastated. His death was deemed an accident in court earlier this year.
Prior to his death he was employed by Eco Sheen. a company that aims to reduce inequality.
Anton Brown, owner of Eco Sheen, is now setting up a facility in Dean Street, St Paul’s, for young people at risk of finding themselves in the same position as Tyrone.
“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work with and help many of the other young people in this community, so I have him to thank for that,” Mr Brown said.
“I am a representation of my community and I know that we care and are willing to support young people. We want to help create change and that’s what I was working with Tyrone towards doing in his own life before he sadly passed.
“Often some young people from deprived communities have a lack of imagination as their outlook is limited by what they see and experience in their immediate surroundings.
“Therefore, it’s about introducing them to new things to broaden their outlook, boost their confidence and self-esteem, and give them something to aspire to.
“This is why I am creating this hub to feel like a home from home, and to be a safe space where young people can flourish,” he added.
The BIIIG Academy for disadvantaged young people at risk of committing offences will hopefully be available for use by November 1.
Mr Brown hopes to guide many of these young people into stable jobs.
Mr Brown said: “I feel like if [young people were supported], we wouldn’t have experienced many of the things we went through.
“It sometimes feels like everybody’s closed their doors and eyes.”
There will be various training courses available for them, including 20 students training for an NVQ3 in construction, a food school for aspiring young chefs, podcast training sessions, music lessons and more. The refurbishment includes a studio, a kitchen, classrooms and various other ways the young people can learn and entertain themselves.