Youngsters supported to ‘upskill’ and turn around their lives thanks to PCC funding

Young people in New Parks have been polishing up their employability skills as part of a diversionary scheme to prevent involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Delivering on his mission to tackle the root causes of offending and to prevent crime, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC Rupert Matthews invested funding from his original Community Safety Fund into a targeted youth intervention programme delivered by Team Hub Community Interest Company in New Parks, Leicester.

New Parks is one of three People Zones supported by the PCC as part of a project to tackle inequalities, build on the strengths of the community, promote inclusion and connectivity and empower people to play an active role in making their area safer.

The project worked directly with young people aged over 16 who had already been excluded or were disengaged from school, putting them at increased risk of involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The aim was to support the cohort to develop their skills to improve their access to employment, further training or apprenticeships and help them overcome some of the practical barriers preventing them from finding work such as the need for identify documents, bank accounts and national insurance numbers.

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “I’m proud of what Team Hub has achieved over the months this project has been running. It demonstrates the remarkable impact of trusted adult relationships to initiate change and the value of providing consistent mentoring and a safe space for young people to share their experiences and concerns.

“The success of this project is testament to Team Hub’s growth, recognition and trust in the community and the wider regeneration of New Parks through the People’s Zone initiative. Youth workers have worked hard and holistically to target a whole host of interlocked issues from crime prevention and employment readiness to community cohesion, rather than treating them as separate challenges.

“The results have been impressive and are evidenced through the qualifications these young people have achieved, the gaining of employment, apprenticeships, volunteering experience and further education. All of these are vital stepping stones to prevent offending in the long-term.”

Nationally, studies have shown young people excluded from school are at least twice as likely to engage in serious violence within 12 months compared to their non-excluded peers while young people who are home-educated or Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) also face significantly higher risks of long-term criminal justice involvement.

Alongside skills training, the programme helped the young people to solve housing issues and access benefits.

Following their involvement in the scheme, youth workers reported positive changes in behaviour, improved social interaction and peer relationships, and increased participation levels, with many young people willingly using their skills to give back to their communities.

The project addressed several key themes in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan including his overriding mission to prevent and tackle crime and harm and his priority to address violence and vulnerability.

Serious violence across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is falling and the PCC is determined to sustain the reduction, ensuring vulnerable people being drawn into crime are identified and supported through investment in diversionary activity.

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