Positive Activities for Young People

In July 2003 Arts Minister Estelle Morris launched a new multi-million pound programme of Positive Activities for Young People across London at the Islington Boat Club.

The programme provides school holiday activities, access to out of school activities throughout the year and support for young people to engage in learning and employment, with key workers for young people most at risk. The programme also seeks to bring together young people from different communities to break down prejudice and improve community cohesion.

The programme is supported by Departments and Agencies across Government through a single funding stream, with over £7m for London in 2003-3 administered by GOL.

The launch event organised by Central London Connexions included a very positive speech by Estelle Morris who said

"School holiday schemes that allow disaffected young people to take part in high quality arts and sports projects have been proved to cut local crime rates and help motivate them to return to school." 

The launch provided a showcase for young people to demonstrate their talents and the Minister took a powerboat ride on the canal and talked to the young people involved in the projects.

Projects featured on the day included:

• Islington Go-Kart, with off-road riding and basic mechanics programme aimed at increasing self-esteem and smoothing the transition of young people into education, employment and training.
• PAYP One Stop Shop, provided by the Islington Youth Offending Team and Connexions Personal Advisers, with information and advice on education, employment and training, CV writing and interviewing.
• Islington Boat Club, a joint project with the Kings Corner Project that targets young people who have been or who are at a risk of anti-social behaviour. Activities include basic skills in canoeing, sailing, kayaking, and powerboat driving.

The Positive Activities Programme builds on the success of previous youth activity programmes such as Summer Plus. The impact is demonstrable. Last September well over two-thirds of young people who participated in Summer Plus had returned to education and 6% to employment or training. Overall, total crime around areas where the Splash Extra schemes ran in summer 2002 decreased by over 5% between July to September 2002, compared with a decrease of under 2% over the same period in 2001.

For more information about the Positive Activities Programme contact Joyce Harvie, Central and South Division, 020 7217 3279.