The Northamptonshire Hidden Needs report identified challenges all over the county with some well known issues in Corby. Elisha Dexter, 16, has grown up in Corby and gives her perspective on the positive side of a community that is faced with many challenges…
The devastating figures that seem to condemn Northamptonshire continuously point the finger at this one, that one, the other one. In reality, what do we think of our towns? Are we a part of these statistics or are we much more?
Being a young person from Corby, I read endless articles on how my town is damned by statistics, saddling it with the poor reputation it seems to have always had. I’ve lived in Corby my entire life. Sixteen whole years. I’m probably included amongst those statistics myself but in my opinion it isn’t that bad of a place to have grown up.
The Scottish ‘twang’ definitely still lives on through the youth of today which is a factor that makes Corby seem so ‘unique’ when comparing it to our neighbouring towns. Being a young person in Corby I’ve definitely seen the broad spectrum of people within our town, the majority being the kind hearted type you would expect.
Corby isn’t a cold accumulation of statistics but rather a town built on community spirit which I feel many other towns lack, a solid community foundation. The selflessness of those in Corby can be genuinely overwhelming, while we have homeless on our streets projects run by local people, such as the Nightlight project, work voluntarily to provide safety for those in need.
Find out about Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s Hidden Needs report here
Every issue we seem to have in our town sees a group of people trying to fix it out of good will. I can honestly say growing up in Corby has taught me everything I need to know about community, shaping me to be the person I am today.
Social mobility is a factor that seems to be poorly executed in Corby, according to the report. This could be linked to the education rates within Corby. Many fear that youngsters in Corby aren’t getting the education they need or deserve however being educated in a Corby school isn’t as terrifying as first thought.
When you disregard disinterested students who clearly don’t want to be there, we can clearly see the determined attitude the children of Corby have. The schools have a high quality of teaching when you want to take advantage of it, and so fighting back against the stereotype that everyone in Corby is ‘thick’ or uneducated is important. Take me for example; through hard work I managed to achieve 8 GCSEs and a BTEC, an A*, 3 A’s, 3 B’s and a C. Many others I know achieved higher grades proving that anyone in Corby can achieve through their determination.
Determination is a key factor that I feel drives the children of Corby to create a better future from themselves, especially with 20.1% of children coming from low income families.
Education is just one aspect of the young people in Corby and many are involved in projects such as the Core Dancers at the Cube. The productions these dancers present are an absolute showcase of talent within Corby. By having these productions and projects it’s clear that people in Corby value their talents greatly.
Corby is a town that is slowly rising, developing as the people within it grow. Through living in Corby I’ve grown to learn how individuality shapes our town and that we are more than published statistics but instead real people. While there’s still a long way to go with the development of Corby, we’re well on the way to something good. Driven by our community spirit and being the pride of Corby.
Corby is a run down, dirty and dangerous place to live. People have even given up trying to remove graffiti and rubbish. Even in the town centre I have seen a man kicked to the ground and assaulted at 11:00 in the morning and saw a similar attack in the street near my home a few weeks later. When I asked a man recently to control his loose agresive dog he treatened to knock me out. A great place to avoid and don’t g out if you want to feel safe.
Are you taking about Corby Northamptonshire? If so I do not recognize the place, as an older person trust me it’s not really safe to go out. The latest example (but by no means the only example) happened to me today. While out walking my little dog she was attacked by a much larger loose dog. When I requested the owner control his dog I was told to shut the f*** up or he would knock me out. That from a man 40 years younger than me. Welcome to the real Corby.
Well written Elisha, and I’m sure with your research in Geography you could have included so much more, backed up with your own primary research evidence. Fantastic, well done.
Corby is a place to be proud of and is a great place to live in, or visit. I love the community spirit in Corby. The rise of Corby continues to be the envy of the county, and this in part is down to the young people who live there. Well written Elisha.
Jonathan.