Vinny Griffiths
Liverpool
I remember when the inflatable balloon
would come to the Blackie every few
weeks. It used to have a maze that you
could run around in. I always used to
be on the Pinball machine, its flashing
lights were a permanent feature of the
building and you would always have a
queue to wait in.
There were board games, chess and
draughts but I was on ropes hanging
from the scaffolding that you could
swing on for what seemed like hours.
Granada Reports came to do a programme
on the Blackie. I was unlucky not to
be in the group going to Granada
Studios, but those left behind were
videoed at the Blackie saying our piece.
There was always an old van parked up
there that we could just sit in and
chill. The Blackie moved to Roscommon
Street for a while and Peter Eyo was
one of the Youth Workers. I didn’t go
that much when it was down there
because it just didn’t seem the same
as the old Blackie building, despite
the inflatable still being there.
Since my Blackie days I have always
shown respect to Youth Workers in other
clubs like The Methodist. I decided to
go into youth work and I gained a Level
3 Youth Work qualification. Blackie
workers like Peter Eyo influenced my
future. I will always be proud of my
football achievements,especially with
the Caribbean team.
I now work with young people in the
youth sector and also young offenders.
This has enabled me to gain basic
counselling and intermediary skills.
Although the work can be unpredictable
I enjoy passing on my life experience
and knowledge to the kids. My Blackie
days were invaluable in preparing me
for such work.
During my work I came in contact with
deaf children. This was a new
experience to me in the work context.
I am now proud to say that this
inspired me to achieve a Level 1 and
2 in Sign Language. I believe that I
am one of a handful of Black workers
to have this qualification and if
that is true I’m even more proud.