Raising aspirations: PCC-funded sessions empower girls to achieve their full potential

A youth project dedicated to empowering young girls to develop their emotional strength and gain greater confidence has been praised for transforming lives.

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews pledged to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in his latest Police and Crime Plan, with a commitment to keep Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland places where women and girls feel safe. The Commissioner is also supporting evidence-based campaigns to make clear that abusive and unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated.

As part of this commitment he was pleased to provide funding for charity Love4Life’s girls’ group at Fearon Hall, within the Bell Foundry People Zone in Loughborough, as part of his wider work to build community resilience and prevent crime.

Over the past 12 months, the project has provided 39 weekly group sessions alongside school holiday activities for 34 girls aged 11 to 18. These sessions aimed to build confidence and self-esteem, while raising awareness of healthy relationships and coping strategies for stress, comparison, and online pressures.

Participants were referred to the programme by schools, parents and carers, and community partners. The aim was to provide safe, structured, and meaningful support at a time when they might be struggling and feeling vulnerable, reducing the likelihood of them becoming involved in crime or becoming a victim.

More than eight in 10 girls who participated in the sessions (87%) said they grew in confidence as a direct result of the intervention, and 80% showed improvement in self-esteem. Additionally, 93% said they had developed a better understanding of healthy relationships as a result.

Young people described the group as ‘safe and supportive’ and helping with ‘confidence and body image’ while reporting reduced feelings of social isolation. The project is also credited with helping girls to form new friendships outside of the group and strengthened relationships between the young people and trusted adult role models.

One participant, initially described as shy, withdrawn and socially isolated, gradually gained confidence through the sessions to speak and contribute. She also formed new friendships, developed increased resilience ahead of her GCSEs, and improved communication with her parent, demonstrating the power of the project to achieve lasting change across education, family life and wellbeing.

People Zones are a community-led approach that brings people together to address issues that affect everyday life in neighbourhoods.

There are five core strands to the approach: listening to residents, working in partnership, building on local strengths, co-producing solutions and investing in ideas shaped by the community.

The overall aim is to help neighbourhoods stay safe, connected and resilient – now and in the future.

Preventing crime and harm is the top priority for the PCC, as outlined in his Police and Crime Plan, where he committed to supporting the creation of safer communities. He said that he would empower local communities to run their own activities, thereby creating a longer-lasting impact in their areas.

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “This project has supported 34 young girls, and there is now a waiting list of 33 young people in Charnwood and Coalville, demonstrating both the need and value of this kind of provision.

“The impact has been remarkable: young girls report feeling more confident and resilient, less isolated and safer. These are vital tools to help them make good choices in future and reduce their risk of harm.

“We know that good mental and physical health are critical for improving school engagement, enhancing future outcomes and helping people to manage and cope with their lives, including any challenges they might face. By providing help and support earlier, we can break the cycle of crime and victimisation and show young people what they are capable of achieving.”

Alongside term-time sessions, the young cohort engaged in Laser Tag and creative/fashion workshops during the school holidays. Sessions covered themes such as coping mechanisms during challenging periods, realistic social media literacy, online safety, healthy relationships, education around drugs and alcohol and confidence and self-esteem.

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Picture shows (L-R): PCC Rupert Matthews with Love4Life fundraiser, Lara Best