Sport and Youth Crime Prevention
Creating conditions to reduce vulnerabilities leading to youth crime and exploitation
The Sport and Youth Crime Prevention programme unites the criminal justice system with the community sport sector. This collaboration harnesses the power of sport to deter young people from engaging in youth crime and violence.
The project works with statutory agencies including the Police, Youth Offending Service, Probation along with the voluntary sector, linking them with over 65 trusted, locally based specialist community sport and activity providers. Importantly, the project works closely with the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit to assist in their efforts to reduce serious youth violence.
A significant network of locally trusted organisations has been built by the team and the Active Essex Foundation are becoming more embedded across the place-based teams within Active Essex to ensure a proportionate universalism approach is taken. Active Essex Foundation have concentrated most efforts on areas of high deprivation and inequality, criminality and exploitation in line with evidence, recognising however, the difficulties caused for young people, by the lack of transport links and rural isolation.
Key projects and programmes to take note of, have been the Violence and Vulnerability Unit 'Listening Project' helping partners involved stay more informed about the local need, Sport and Life Skills Project, BoxSmart on the Ropes and Girls Inspired.
We’re really pleased that over the past 12 months, this project has supercharged the work being carried out with partners around sport and youth crime prevention. We now have a great working relationship with system partners in the youth justice system, including the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit, Essex, Southend and Thurrock Youth Offending Service, Probation and Essex Police.Louise Voyce, Relationship Manager
As part of the Sport and Youth Crime Prevention project, the Active Essex Foundation have worked in partnership with a number of locally trusted organisations, to develop a programme that works collaboratively with the Essex Youth Offending Services.
The Sport and Life Skills programme provides young people with support and the opportunity to engage in physical activity and sport, alongside mentoring and life skills development, such as living independently, shopping on a budget and CV writing.
Through connecting agencies such as, Essex Youth Justice Service, Police and Essex County Council's Involvement Service, to community providers, the Foundation have been able to create new pathways through the system, advancing impact within new areas of work.
It has been fantastic to see the growth, uptake and support from many partners, on the work we're trying to achieve. We're seeing an increase in the number of young people receiving mentoring, engaging in physical activity and volunteering. Over 200 young people are now undergoing work to gain a qualification or work experience as a result of being inspired by the work of our programmes.Jim White, Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Project Manager
Two new projects that launched early in 2024 have now become well-embedded within communities. The Girls Inspired course for girls aged 11-16 is designed specifically for females in mind. Referrals are made for young people who are more likely to be exploited or become involved in criminality for a number of reasons.
BoxSmart 'on the ropes' is a targeted youth intervention aimed at young people aged 11-15. Individuals who have been engaging in this project may be at risk or already involved in anti-social behaviour, may be more vulnerable and or at greater risk of exploitation. The BoxSmart course, started as a small pilot project in Colchester 18 months ago but has now grown into a recognised programme that CSP and other agencies want to fund and refer young people to. The Active Essex Foundation team are continuing to seek additional funding to expand the courses/programme in current areas and into new locations.
Key Learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, in order to focus on ways to improve in the future.
Insight and relationship led
Relationships and evidence are key to working more closely with the youth justice system
Future funding opportunities
Increased time spent leveraging further funding opportunities to continue to grow
Capturing case studies
Important to show local organisations the impact of their work on target audiences
Volume in the system
Multiple gateways, pathways and a crowded network that needs to harness expertise
