Positive Futures Project

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Positive Futures Project

Positive Futures

Mountain Biking

Group of young people

Boxing

	What is Positive Futures?		Interest/Referral Form
	Why Sport and Activities?		News and Updates
	What opportunities & activities are there?		Project Management
	Current Activity Calendar		Meet the Team

What is Positive Futures?

Positive Futures is a national sports and adventure activities social inclusion project for young people in Bridgend County, which is only one of two local authorities in Wales to operate the programme, Positive Futures is a relationship based, social inclusion initiative with activities focused in the communities of Caerau, Cornelly and Wildmill.

Positive Futures uses sport and adventure activities to engage and develop some of the most at risk young people within Bridgend County, offering diversionary activities as an alternative and potentially to reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and substance misuse.

Through participating in activities that young people believe are worthwhile, led by dedicated and skilled community coaches and volunteers, the project aims to meet the needs of those marginalised groups of young people by providing them with diversionary activity that they want to take part in, providing opportunities to develop key life skills and tackle issues among 10-25 year olds in targeted neighborhoods.

The intended outcomes of the initiative are:

A reduction in substance misuse amongst 10-25 year olds participating in the project.

Improve the health and well-being of young people, and their involvement in their community.

An increase of regular participation in physical activity among 10-25 year olds participating in the project.

Why Sport and Activities?

Sport, Recreation and Adventure Activities play an important part in tackling a wide range of social exclusion problems. Sport provides opportunities to engage young people in a positive alternative to ‘hanging around’ and the substance misuse culture by promoting substance-free and positive behaviour lifestyles, and also providing leadership and training opportunities.

Positive Futures operates at two levels:

Targeted Project Activities; working with at risk young people referred to the project, these activities are run during the day time of the week.
Open-Access Project Activities; working with young people in their communities during the evening, weekends and holidays.

What opportunities and activities are there?

	Sports: Football, Rugby, Basketball, Dance, Gym, Fitness, Dodgeball, Badminton, Pool, Table Tennis, and more
	Adventure Activities: Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Canoeing, Surfing, Gorge Walking, Camping, Coasteering, and more
	Educational Visits and Trips
	Healthy Lifestyle: Cooking, Nutrition, Fitness/Training Plan, Environment Workshops, Community Work, DJ and Graffiti Workshops, Youth Club.
	Issue Based Workshops: Substance Misuse (Alcohol and Drugs), Sexual Health Awareness, Arson Awareness, Team Building and Citizenship
	Achieving and Accreditation It isn’t just about qualifications, although we help young people to gain new ones each year, it is about opening up opportunities for those we work with and giving them the confidence to take them.
		Duke of Edinburgh Award
		Sports Leaders Award
		Open College Network Certificates
		Record of Achievement.

Sports Skills Awards

	Opportunities for volunteering, casual and part-time work and pathways to full time employment

Coming Soon! Positive Futures Interest/Referral Form

Download a copy of the Interest/Referral Form. Please complete all sections as fully as possible, and return to the address on the form.

Coming Soon! News and Updates

Find out the latest news, photos and events from the Positive Futures project.

Participation in the Positive Futures scheme has been found to have beneficial effects on young people. For example, the Key Elements research has found that staff and projects' activities can facilitate personal and social development. Prolonged involvement in sporting activities, such as team games can sometimes help to foster team building skills as well as physical and tactical abilities. In addition, evidence highlights how young people are able to gain skills and qualifications and re-engage with mainstream providers.

Through the Key Elements research it has been National Information and Research found that more than 50,000 young people have participated in the regular activities offered by the projects. Boys tend to outnumber girls four to one and the largest proportion of young people are aged 13-16 years. In addition, a range of support services are accessible through the projects and in particular, activities and advice about substance misuse are becoming increasingly popular.

Participation in the Positive Futures scheme has been found to have multifaceted effects on young people. For example, data from the last Key Elements research shows examples of positive outcomes include:

	young people returning to education
	are doing better in school
	have made some other educational achievement, of which improved attendance at school and improved respect for teachers are just two examples
	young people have secured a job or are now looking for a job
	as well as these achievements, many young people have been able to pursue awards and training programmes, resulting in the attainment of new skills and qualifications.

For further information about Positive Futures, the latest Impact Report as well as the programme of on-going monitoring and evaluation can be found at:
drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/young-people/positive-futures/

The latest Positive Futures Reports including ‘Taking It On’:
www.catch-22.org.uk/index.asp?m=242

Project Management

Positive Futures in Bridgend County is a partnership between Bridgend County Borough Council, the Home Office, Catch 22, Safer Bridgend and Cymorth (Children’s and Young Peoples Partnership). The Positive Futures programme is managed by the Bridgend County Youth Service and supported by a steering group involving the Active Young People Department, Youth Offending Team, Communities First, Safer Bridgend, South Wales Police, and community representatives.

Meet the Team

The Positive Futures project has a team of dedicated and well trained staff employed by Bridgend County Youth Service. Two full-time project coordinators manage and deliver the project, sessional workers and activity leaders deliver various activities, and trained professionals are brought in to deliver educational workshops. All staff are CRB checked and are trained in their field of work e.g. sports coaching and adventure activities, and are trained to work with challenging behaviour and in issues relating to substance misuse.