A POLICE and Crime Commissioner-funded project aims to break the destructive cycle of antisocial behaviour (ASB) among young people in Middlesbrough.
Charity Breckon Hill Community Enterprise has been given £13,526 from the PCC’s Police Property Act Fund.
The grant will support targeted youth engagement with a group of young people, who have been involved in ASB behaviour close to the charity’s community centre.
A mix of onsite and outreach youth work will give young people, aged nine to 17, an insight into how low level ASB can lead to involvement in more serious criminal activities.
Youth workers also want to instil a sense of community pride into the young people, with whom they work. They also want to show the wider impact of ASB on the community.
In addition, staff will work with young people. They will explore how young people can break any patterns of destructive behaviour by providing positive outlets and activities.
Where possible, young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET,) will be encouraged to sign up for the charity’s in-house Prince’s Trust community programme. The 12-week programme is open to 16 to 25-year-olds.
Making an Impression
Less than two months into the year-long pilot, it’s already making a big impression.
Youth workers Katy Robinson, Ryan Brady and Semera Waheed are working on a one-to-one basis with a handful of youngsters.
They are also finding out what both the young people and wider community want to see from the pilot.
Amanda Buck, Centre Manager, said: “We’ve carried out our first consultation with the community. Now we’re asking young people what they would like to see.
“Young people feel that there is not a lot to do. Often what there is to do is too expensive or not accessible.
“We are already looking at tapping into additional funding so we can set up more activities.”
The pilot also aims to develop long-lasting and positive relationships between generations in TS4,. The area includes Breckon Hill, Grove Hill, Easterside and Beechwood.
In order to do this, the pilot will encourage young people to take part in community and social action projects.
Breckon Hill Community Enterprise already runs two youth projects. The first is aimed at young children up to the age of 11 who may be living with, or adopted by, kinship carers.
The second project is aimed at young people of Eastern European origin, aged 14 to 20. They may not currently engage with mainstream education.