Targeted youth support: football engages those not in education, employment or training
| Provider | Training and Development Agency |
|---|---|
| Topics | Education; Culture, sport, play; Targeted youth support |
| Type | Emerging practice |
| Date | May 2006 |
| Region | North West |
Get Off The Bench is a short programme for 16-19-year-olds run by The Prince's Trust in partnership with football clubs, Connexions and other local agencies. The programme uses football as a motivational tool to engage those not in education, employment or training.
The six-day programme is followed by support from personal advisers and volunteer mentors. The programme has been developed in the North West - Blackburn, Burnley, Bolton, Rochdale, Liverpool and Crewe. It has also been piloted within a prison at Lancaster Farms.
Why change was needed: the Crewe example
Crewe is an area with local deprivation and relatively few activities and programmes for young people. Connexions and The Prince's Trust identified a need to engage care leavers, offenders/ex-offenders and educational underachievers more effectively. In particular, personal advisers needed something which would engage young people and draw them into other support activities.
Action taken
The programme was developed to be exciting, challenging and informative and to create a progression to new skills and work. Crewe Alexandra Football Club hosted the programme. It included:
- Coaching, refereeing and fitness
- Basic skills, first aid, sex and drugs education
- Thinking skills, understanding others and teamwork
- A final day presentation at Crewe Alexandra training ground
The programme was delivered by a multi-agency team, involving specialist tutors as well as PAs and volunteers. Joint delivery of the programme by staff from Connexions, Crewe Alexandra and The Prince's Trust helped to provide continuity for the young people and more holistic support.
The results
All 18 young people on the Crewe programme moved into work, education, training or volunteering within two months.
Participants received the FA Junior Organiser Award and the FA First Aid Certificate, but the real impact is in improved self esteem, ambition and awareness of the impact of a healthy lifestyle. Personal advisers and other local workers have been able to build on the relationships forged during the week.
A critical success factor is that all the partner agencies and staff understand the needs of the young people and demonstrate a commitment to the objectives and standards of the programme.
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Targeted youth support: football engages those not in education, employment or training
