Positive Activities for Young People is a targeted project working with young people at risk, between the ages of 9-19yrs, to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and to support back into education, employment and training. This is done by providing holiday activities and focussed one to one support where necessary.

The project is geographically targeted working in the catchment areas of Winterhills and Clifton school. The project began in the summer of 2003 and over this last year the two key workers have supported over 60 young people, helping them to access activities and supporting them during term time, through the many issues and problems that they face.

Young people that are referred to the project are all vulnerable, with multiple issues and barriers to overcome. Most are known to social services, some are classed as ‘children in need’ and some are on the child protection register. Some are bullied at school, which is why they truant, some have poor family relationships and support, some have been affected by domestic violence and some by substance misuse.

Referrals come from partner agencies that include school Education Welfare, Social Services and Youth Offending Teams. Relationships with partners are very important to the success of the project and in particular we have very close relationships with both schools, enabling the key workers to support the young people in school during term time, in one to one sessions and also group work.

All the activities we have done have been chosen by the young people and have shown that young people have great imagination – activities have included horse riding, leather craft, t-shirt painting, football, rugby, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, fishing and learning to drive a narrow boat. The combination of activities and the intensive one to one support for key worked young people helps to contribute and improve a young person’s self worth, confidence and personal, social and educational development.

Success Stories

One young person who is involved in the project has come on in leaps and bounds over the last year, from being permantly exluded she is now in part time paid work for another voluntary sector project, working with young people. She has also volunteered at the youth centre, is about to take 5 GCSE's and go to college in Sepember to study music and eventually hopes to become a music teacher.

Some of the activities undertaken Skiing

Fishing at Bakers Pond

Here are some comments about the Keyworkers and the work they have undertaken;