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Positive Futures - Future Decided

23 November 2005

Crime Concern, the national crime reduction agency, has taken over the challenge of driving forward Positive Futures, the Government’s highly successful sports-based intervention programme for young people.

Positive Futures is a joint project with Sport England which started in 2000. Under Home Office management it has helped many young people living in some of the most social deprived neighbourhoods in the country.

A consultation last year to determine the best way forward for Positive Futures concluded that outsourcing management of the project to a national charity would be the best option.

After competitive tender, Crime Concern was given responsibility to continue the work, although the Government will still remain heavily involved in the project.

Home Office Minister, Paul Goggins, said;

“Positive Futures has delivered incredible success so far, helping more than 80,000 young people since 2003 and I wish Crime Concern well in their challenge to further develop the programme over the coming years.

“The programme plays a vital role in the lives of young people, many of whom live in some of our most disadvantaged communities by offering professional coaching, training, volunteering and vocational courses that might not normally be accessible.”

Lord Patrick Carter of Coles, Sport England Chair, said:

“We firmly believe sport has an important role to play in changing lives and building safer, stronger communities. The successful Positive Futures programme has highlighted the way in which sport can be harnessed to enhance the opportunities available to young people at risk and from deprived backgrounds.

“We look forward to working with Crime Concern and the Home Office to take Positive Futures to the next level and build on its successes to date.”

Roger Howard, Chief Executive of Crime Concern said:

"We're absolutely delighted to be taking on Positive Futures and relish the challenge to make it the number one sports and activity-based social inclusion programme for young people.

"We intend to build on its successes and develop the programme further, with particular reference to bringing businesses on board. We are also keen to make the most of the interest and investment in sport generated since the successful Olympic bid.

"Our experience of working with young people in 800 local early intervention and prevention programmes over the last 15 years means we are ideally placed to take on the Positive Futures challenge."

Notes to Editors:

1. Crime Concern will undertake management of Positive Futures from January 2006 until March 2008.
2. Crime Concern is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and registered charity. Their mission is to work with local people, community groups and crime and disorder agencies to reduce crime and create environments where everyone can lead their lives free from fear and intimidation.
3. Positive Futures is a sport and activity-based early intervention programme that aims to have a positive influence on participants’ substance misuse, physical activity and offending behaviour.
4. The programme is currently managed by the Drug Strategy Directorate and has an Advisory Board made up of representatives from Department of Health, DCMS, DfES, Sport England and the Youth Justice Board.
5. There are currently 108 local projects, including one in each of the High Focus Areas. Further information can be found at http://www.drugs.gov.uk/young-people/positive-futures/.

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