Cash Boost to Support Outcomes for Young People
A cash boost for a range of sporting activities will help keep young people in South Tyneside on the straight and narrow.
South Tyneside has been awarded almost £20,000 from the government's Youth Justice Sports Fund to support vulnerable young people at risk of becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.
The money will be used to deliver a programme of activities to at least 120 young people between the ages of 10 and 17 with the aim of diverting them away from criminal activity.
Those eligible who are already known to the Youth Justice Service can take advantage of access to a South Shields gym once a week where they can work under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Weekly boxing sessions in South Shields are also available. At both venues young people can receive a nutritious meal as well as advice and guidance on their health and wellbeing.
Young people not in education or training, electively home schooled or at risk of exclusion can take advantage of weekly outdoor education sessions where they can gain a First Aid certificate and sport specific accreditation.
The funding will also enable open-access football sessions to be held for all young people between the ages of 11 and 17 while a variety of sports will be offered once a week in community venues, including parks.
Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "We understand that it is vital to intervene in the lives of young people at risk of offending. Our strong track record in diverting young people away from crime was instrumental in helping us to secure these funds.
"By giving young people positive role models and activities to divert them away from trouble we can improve their life chances as well as saving our communities from being blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour."
The fund will be administered by Street Games, one of the leading 'sport for development' charities.
Stuart Felce, StreetGames Director of Sport and Community Safety, said: "At StreetGames we believe that community sport, delivered in the right way, can have a transformational impact on children's lives and the communities they live in. We're really excited to be partnering with the Sport for Development Coalition and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice to deliver this ambitious new programme from the Ministry of Justice.
"This investment in sport will support voluntary and community sports organisations to carry out targeted work to enhance positive outcomes for vulnerable children, providing the practical and emotional support they need to grow and helping to keep them and their communities safe."