Overview
The funding supported voluntary and community sports organisations to carry out targeted work supporting children and young people who were at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
This was achieved through the facilitated delivery of a codesigned 12-week physical activity, mental health and nutrition program. The intervention was a programme that offered supervised positive and fun activities including pro-social friendships, positive adult role models and a chance for young people to achieve.
The programme has resulted in several positive outcomes both in relation to the health/wellbeing of project participants and to the capability and capacity of host organisation.
The programme has enabled the participants to start a committed positive relationship with peers, sport, health and general wellbeing.
Programme aims
- Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and serious violence amongst young people aged 10-17.
- Increase the capability of sports sector delivery organisations to work effectively with their local criminal justice partners.
- Support vulnerable young people aged 10-17.
Programme outcomes
- 54 young people directly enrolled into programme.
- 99 contact hours of engagement activities.
- Delivery resulted in stronger and more engaging ‘host’ organisations, with those involved reporting they were more attractive to their local communities and potential new members/participants.
The Programme
The rollout of the programme seen us work hand in hand with The Family Gateway Howdon. As well as this we worked with North Tyneside Council, Northumbria Police Crime Commissioner, RISE active partnership, NE Youth, Dropzone Fitness and Wallsend Boys Club.
During the programme the participants took part in a range of activities including individual and team sports, team building and enrichment activities with a focus on key employability and life skills.
The programme offered a warm and safe space for the young people to socialise and meet new friends within their local community. In particular, the indoor sessions at the hub created a traditional youth club environment. At each session the young people were provided with healthy and nutritious snacks and given educational information around healthy eating.
- Ryan (13) commented on how the sessions have impacted him. “Coming to the Sportworks sessions has helped me make better choices. Before coming here on a Friday or Saturday night I had been trying things I probably shouldn’t have been like drinking and smoking because we would get bored and there's nothing better to do.” Ryan went on to say, “I love playing football with my mates and this session gave us a place to play that is safe and the coaches are really positive and want to help me get better at football but also want to help me make better decisions".
- Jess (11) spoke about how the sessions have positively affected her life choices. “Coming to the Sportworks sessions at Howdon has gave me somewhere safe to go and hang out with my mates. Before these sessions we would just chill in the park or walk round the streets but coming here has gave us something better to do. On the nights we come here too we get given healthy snacks which is good because if we were just hanging round the streets we wouldn’t be eating healthily”. Jess went on to talk about the staff “having female coaches here has been so good, I love sports but don’t know how I could get a career in sport and seeing coaches Mia and Katie has made me realise if I work hard and focus more, I can do it”.
Get involved
If you are in the public sector or a community organisation, this is the route for you...
Contact usSupport our work
If you want to become one of our corporate partners or you are a trust or foundation, this is the route for you...
Contact us