Crescent Summer School
Crescent Summer School CIC
CSSP Summer Video
For Young People By Young People
Historical Overview: Crescent Summer School CIC (CSSP) has its roots in the early 1990s, when there was a clear gap in provision for young people in the Bury Park area of Luton, particularly during the long summer holidays. In response to this need, the Bangladesh Youth League (BYL) pioneered structured summer holiday activities for young people. The first programme was delivered in 1990, laying the foundation for what has grown into today’s CSSP.
Over time, the initiative developed from a seasonal summer programme into a year-round youth-led organisation. In November 2019, CSSP formally became an independent Community Interest Company with charitable aims, established by young people to ensure their voices remain central to its purpose and direction.
CSSP is governed by a Board of Directors as a Community Interest Company and also by a Management Committee. The Management Committee plays a key role in overseeing the organisation’s direction, ensuring accountability, and supporting effective delivery of services. A distinctive feature of this structure is that two-thirds of the Management Committee are young people under the age of 18. This ensures that young people are not only beneficiaries of the programme but are actively involved in shaping priorities, decision-making, and the future development of the organisation.
This youth-led governance model strengthens transparency, accountability, and relevance, ensuring CSSP remains closely connected to the needs and voices of young people. As a grassroots, volunteer-led organisation, CSSP remains firmly rooted in community values and youth participation.
Two of the current Directors come from a strong youth and community work background. One of the founding Directors is a nationally recognised, qualified youth worker with extensive experience in both frontline practice and senior leadership roles in local government, including Head of Youth Service, Lead Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and Mayor of the town. This combination of professional expertise and lived experience ensures that youth work values are deeply embedded in the leadership and strategic direction of the organisation.
From humble beginnings, CSSP has grown into a trusted partner in youth work delivery across Luton. More recently, the organisation has secured Million Hours Youth Work funding, enabling expanded outreach and detached youth work in Beech Hill Ward, a priority area in the town. This work focuses on engaging young people in their own communities, building trust, and providing positive opportunities where they are most needed.
Our Vision & Aim
Our Vision
To empower and inspire young people to become resilient, confident, and motivated individuals who can achieve their goals and make a positive contribution to their communities.
Our Aim
Our aim is to support young people aged 9–18 years from Biscot, Beech Hill, Dallow, and Saints wards—some of the most deprived areas of Luton—during school holiday periods. We work to help young people develop their physical, emotional, and social skills, enabling them to grow into confident, resilient, and active members of society. While our focus is on these priority wards, our programme remains inclusive and open to all young people.
Originally focused on holiday provision, CSSP has now expanded significantly and delivers activities throughout the year. We work both through direct delivery and in collaboration with partner organisations to ensure consistent and meaningful engagement with young people beyond the school holidays.
We deliver structured programmes during school holidays, including three weeks in the summer and one week during each of the October, December, February, Easter, and May breaks—providing up to eight weeks of activities annually. Alongside this, our year-round delivery helps maintain engagement, build relationships, and provide continuous support.
Our programme offers a diverse mix of activities, including creative arts, sports, team-building exercises, and issue-based workshops. These are designed to build confidence, leadership, communication, and social skills. We also raise awareness of key issues affecting young people, including personal safety, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. A key focus is supporting resilience and addressing ongoing challenges such as the impact of COVID-19, social isolation, knife crime, and the cost of living.
Each year, we recruit, train, and support young volunteers aged 16–18 years. These young people play an active role in planning, delivering, and evaluating activities throughout the programme. They are also supported to work towards recognised awards, including the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and the AQA Unit Award Scheme in volunteering, helping them develop valuable skills and experience for their future.
This work is made possible through funding from a range of partners, including Energise Luton, Sport England, Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation, UK Youth, Awards for All, Postcode Lottery, and Wixamtree Trust.
Youth Voice
At Crescent Summer School CIC (CSSP), youth voice is at the heart of everything we do. We believe young people should not only participate in activities but also actively shape and lead them.
Our young people take a leading role in the annual Youth Conference, where they are responsible for planning, delivering, and facilitating the event. This includes engaging with other young people as well as professionals from across the youth and community sector. The conference provides a genuine platform for young people to express their views, share their experiences, and influence decision-making that affects their lives and communities.
Through this process, young people gain valuable leadership, communication, and organisational skills, while also ensuring that their voices are heard in meaningful and impactful ways. The event creates a space where professionals listen directly to young people, helping to shape future services and priorities based on real lived experience.
Alongside the conference, we continue to embed youth voice throughout our everyday practice through regular feedback, group discussions, and involvement in planning and evaluation. Young people are encouraged to suggest ideas, co-design activities, and influence the direction of the programme.
By giving young people real responsibility and leadership opportunities, we are not only improving our services but also empowering them to become confident, active citizens who can advocate for themselves and their communities.
Open Door Youth Club
Crescent Summer School CIC will deliver youth work provision for young people aged 10–18 years in the Beech Hill ward of Luton between April 2026 and March 2027.
Over this period, we will provide a range of targeted activities, including detached and outreach youth work sessions, weekly football activities, holiday programmes during school breaks, and digital engagement sessions. These activities are designed to meet young people where they are, both physically and socially, ensuring accessible and consistent support.
The programme has been carefully developed to improve emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and strengthen essential life skills such as communication,
teamwork, and decision-making. A key focus is also on supporting positive
engagement, reducing isolation, and creating safe spaces where young people
feel valued and supported.
This new initiatve is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and The National Lottery
Community Fund.
CSSP is an initiative of the Bangladesh Youth League (BYL) Luton which operates as CYCD.
Get In Touch For More Information
For more information please contact Talat Khan who is our Senior Youth Worker.