Building skills, reducing crime
Here’s how we’re doing #SomethingConstructive to boost skills and employability for young people involved in or at risk of crime, in collaboration with others tackling crime, anti-social behaviour and poor life chances to build stronger, safer communities.
Creating safer communities with local police forces
We work with regional police forces through their Police Crime & Commissioner Funds and proceeds from crime, to fund VIY projects of benefit to the local community, whilst also referring local young people involved in or at risk of crime, supported by local police forces, onto VIY’s valuable employability experiences, to boost aspiration, skills and reduce anti-social behaviour and habits inside and outside of the classroom. See some examples here:
I’d sooner have a trade than be selling drugs
Young VIY Volunteer, during a VIY project in Coventry, 2023
Boosting skills and employability in prisons and Youth Offending Teams
Use historic VIY examples inc. links to:
- Hampton and Borough FC, Feltham
- Bringing gang members together at Canada Villa
- Any more?
“Initially Alfie was concerned about being assessed but he was very quickly put at ease by the assessor who engaged brilliantly with Alfie. He feels this accreditation will benefit him in the future.”
On behalf of Alfie, Surrey Youth Offending Team
Inspiring positive futures in Alternative Education
We help to boost skills, attendance, aspirations and behaviour in non-mainstream education environments, such as Pupil Referral Units, Alternative Provisions and SEN schools, through our hands-on employability workshops and VIY projects – which aim to provide vocational skills which are unavailable in mainstream environments, inspire positive futures and reduce anti-social behaviour and habits inside/outside of the classroom. See some examples below:
- Pupil Referral Units in Cardiff
- Supporting Children who are Looked After – Havering Virtual School
- Boosting attendance and aspiration for disengaged young people
“I initially thought today was going to be stupid and a waste of my time. Now I’ve made the bench I’m thinking it was 100% worth my time. I have actually learnt something new. Today has given me purpose and I’ve socialised too.”
Young learner, on a VIY project at a Pupil Referral Unit, Cardiff, 2022
Helping to improve community cohesion
Whilst not all of the young people we work with may be involved in serious crime, they may be vulnerable within the places they live, or involved in/on the brink of anti-social behaviour which is disrupting their communities. Working in collaboration with local police officers, such as Dawn from Humber Police, we can both support the valuable work they are already doing to prevent crime, as well as engage those at risk in valuable and meaningful experiences to do good, whilst reducing such behaviour and preventing further crime in a community.
Creating spaces for positive behaviours and pathways
Much of our work boosting grassroots sports clubs and facilities is to help create and/or improve spaces that young people may use or benefit from, including those seeking more positive experiences away from mainstream education, or the streets. Boxing clubs in particular play a great part in training young people to create more positive behaviours, using sport to tackle experiences and emotions which may otherwise lead them down less positive pathways.
Think there’s something we could do together to support young people involved in or at risk of crime, and to help bring communities together? Hit the button below to get in touch with our team.
