Slough Borough Council

Positive Futures - sports activities for young people

Positive Futures is a national sport and physical activity-based social inclusion programme which is managed by Crime Concern on behalf of the Home Office and funded by the Football Foundation.

The aim of the project is to work with 10-19 year olds from disadvantaged areas, creating drop-in sports and coaching sessions on their doorstep.

The nature of the work is on the preventative side in terms of anti-social behaviour and petty crime.

The idea is to use local coaches where possible, as role models to the local young people.

Once regular contact and participation is established, then the focus shifts more towards the personal development of the individual young people, looking at further education and employment opportunities, as well as training and coaching opportunities within the programme and the borough as a whole.

The project was launched in Slough in the summer, with drop-in sports sessions in Lismore Park and Mercian Way Recreation Ground and there was also a week-long football camp held in Mercian Way.

All together through the summer, the project engaged with 213 young people, who together amassed a total of 2,554 hours of participation.

Initially based in Lismore Park and Cippenham, the programme will be rolled out borough-wide over the next two years.

For more information on Positive Futures in Slough contact Ricky Barnett on 01753 875784 or e-mail sportandhealth@slough.gov.uk