Targeted youth support: out-of-school computer club counters anti-social behaviour
Contact
| Provider | Gamezone |
|---|---|
| Topics | Youth Matters; Culture, sport, play; Targeted youth support |
| Type | Emerging practice |
| Date | May 2006 |
| Region | Not Applicable |
Gamezone was set up by the police three years ago in Middlecroft, a deprived area of Staveley, to give young people something to do and to reduce the high levels of antisocial behaviour. Staffed by local volunteers, the club has contributed to a very significant downturn in antisocial behaviour and petty crime in the area.
Gamezone has gone from strength to strength over the last three years - we
now regularly get 70 young people turning up. Both my wife and I work at the
club. We felt it was such a good idea and of such benefit to local kids that we
felt we had to get involved.
Mick Samuel, secretary of Gamezone
Why change was needed
The police and local community were becoming increasingly concerned by the high-levels of antisocial behaviour and petty crime in the area. One contributing factor was that young people had nowhere to go and little constructive to do.
Action taken
The club was prompted by the police and supported by them on an ongoing basis. One or two officers are usually present at meetings. It was set up in a local youth services venue. Staffed by four to five volunteers, start-up funds came from a regeneration grant. This paid for six playstations, dance mats, five large televisions and a projector. Subsequent donations have added a karaoke machine and pool table. The club also runs a tuck shop.
Gamezone meets for two and a half hours, one day a week, during school holidays. It also travels, on request to a number of other venues. This is organised by Gamezone and the local police. The kit is usually transported in a police van!
It's also very rewarding work for us volunteers. We have good and bad
moments of course, but generally it's great work. The club is always
looking for new volunteers.
Mick Samuel, secretary of Gamezone
As the club runs weekly competitions, the pace is fast and everyone gets a good go on the playstations (and the other activities). Young people can also bring their own playstation games as long as their games are not age restricted for over-eighteens.
Results
Calls about antisocial behaviour in the area have reduced to almost zero. The club has been a big contributor to this reduction as it brings together young people from different schools in a positive environment; provides them with something fun to do; gives the police informal contact with local young people; and enables young people to mix with (volunteer) adults role models who are neither teachers or police.
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Targeted youth support: out-of-school computer club counters anti-social behaviour
