First Site

Young people on the Tibbington Estate in Tipton are using computer games technology to construct how they’d like to see a local open space developed in the future.

They are able to enter a virtual environment that replicates the open space created by the recent demolition of homes on the estate and then use a huge range of virtual building tools and objects to create new ideas and see how their designs alter the site.

The ‘My Space on the Tibby’ project is consulting with young people on the potential future uses of the open space and, by using computer games technology, is engaging with them in a way they understand and through which they can respond in a constructive and meaningful way. The consultation process is being extended to other residents on the estate by extracting data from the young people’s creations and feeding these into more traditional media such as printed publications and video footage to seek wider views on the use of the open space.

The project has political backing in Sandwell with Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for Safer Stronger Communities, saying, “This project is groundbreaking. Never before has computer gaming technology come together with community consultation in this way. The end result is that Sandwell Council manages to get the opinions of people who wouldn’t usually speak out, and the young people involved get to have loads of fun.”

Sandwell Council’s Adult and Community Services Team is working closely with Digital Native Academy, a local interactive digital media company who have developed the consultation technique based on their extensive understanding of computer games technology and its application for serious, non-entertainment, purposes.

With input from Black Country Connexions and from local volunteers young people are being recruited to take part in sessions to build their own ‘Tibby’ creations as well as improving their IT skills at the same time. Also pupils at Alexander High School who live on the Tibbington estate are working with their learning mentors and coming up with their own vision for the open space. Sessions are planned throughout the term and during the Easter holidays.

If the MADE pilot proves to be successful the techniques used for the ‘Tibby’ project will feature as part of the upcoming Masterplanning exercise for the whole of the Tibbington estate.