Young people in deprived areas are 'kicking-off' a better future and giving themselves new opportunities thanks to a sports based social inclusion project, a new report shows today.
Home Office Drugs Minister Caroline Flint today met kids who have been helped by the Positive Futures initiative – a Government scheme backed by the Football Foundation, Sport England, and the Youth Justice Board.
Since it began in 2000, the Positive Futures programme has helped almost 35,000 young people in the most deprived areas get involved in sport and on track to a better future. There are now 107 projects nationwide and a report on the programme - the Positive Futures Impact report - shows that the scheme really is making a difference to thousands of lives.
Ms Flint said:
"Getting and keeping young people away from drugs and crime is the highest priority for the Government's Drug Strategy. Positive Futures is playing a key role in helping young people address the many issues associated with substance misuse, and supporting them into education, training and employment.
"Positive Futures has so far helped 35,000 young people engage in sport, education and other recreational activities. Above all, it has helped them raise their aspirations and find motivation to look forward to the future. In the past twelve months alone almost 14,000 young people have found a job, entered training or improved their education thanks to Positive Futures."
Positive Futures is not just about football. Different projects attract young people through various forms of sport such as basketball, horse riding and sailing. In addition to sports young people take part in educational activities such as substance misuse programmes, arts and DJ-ing.
Ms Flint added:
"This is just one of a number of initiatives which the Government is using to engage young people who might be vulnerable to drug misuse. Last year we launched FRANK – a groundbreaking campaign which is equipping young people, and their parents, with the information and advice about drugs.
"The Government is also piloting an innovative new drug education programme in 23 schools to try and learn which messages are most effective in helping our young people take safer choices. In addition to this 96 per cent of secondary and 80 per cent of junior schools already have drug education programmes. We are committed to giving young people the best start in life and making sure they have all the information and support to make informed decisions about drugs."
The Positive Futures Impact Report published today by the Home Office shows that:
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14,000 have benefited in the past year, by getting a job, volunteering, getting into training or improving their educational performance.
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49 per cent of participants are referred from statutory or voluntary agencies, Youth Offending Team, police, schools, social services, substance misuse prevention agencies etc.
Notes to Editors
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Caroline Flint was visiting the Lifeline Calderdale Positive Futures project in Halifax.
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The Positive Futures Impact report was published today and is available from the Home Office website at www.positivefutures.gov.uk.
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Positive Futures is a Government initiative managed within the Home Office Drugs Strategy Directorate. The advisory group consists of representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Culture Media and Sport, the Connexions Service (DfES), Sport England, Youth Justice Board and Football Foundation. There are currently 107 local projects operating in neighbourhoods across England and Wales, all falling within the top 20 per cent as identified through the indices of multiple deprivation. The projects are delivered by a range of agencies including local authorities, charities, sports clubs and crime reduction agencies and are currently targeted at the 10-19-age range. Positive Futures aims to identify, engage and support young people by creating opportunities and helping them into education, training and employment.
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The Government has made £15 million available as part of the SR2002 package which was announced in December. The allocation of the money to Positive Futures was announced by Bob Ainsworth, then Home Office Minister with responsibility for the Government's Drug Strategy, on 3 February 2003 as part of a funding announcement for young people's drug services. The Football Foundation have contributed £3 million over the next three years, and Sport England have contributed £500,000 to further support the development of the evidence base and train existing and potential front line staff.
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Frank was launched on 23 May 2003 and is jointly funded by the Home Office and Department of Health and supported by the Department for Education. To talk to Frank call 0800 77 66 00 or www.talktofrank.com.
© Crown copyright material reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland
