New scheme launched to tackle youth crime

Paddy Tipping will attend an event in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on Monday 19 August to launch a showcase of youth activities, from street dancing to mural painting, and to learn more about social action initiatives.

The Catch22 summer showcase event will also give young people aged 10 to 19 a chance to try different activities and provide them with information about the activity programme for the coming year.

Following the launch, Catch22’s staff team will be working in Kirkby, Sutton and Hucknall, providing activities for young people and offering them the chance to get involved in social initiatives. Catch22’s outreach teams will also be out in the areas on a weekly basis to help young people with employment, health, social and training issues.

Catch22’s national youth crime prevention programme ‘Positive Futures’ was funded by the Home Office and delivered locally by projects in communities across England and Wales.

Mr Tipping is providing funds to help Catch22 continue its work in the county as central funding for Positive Futures came to end in March 2013. Additional support is being given by Ashfield Community Safety Partnership for the programme in its district.

Young people are given the chance to develop the skills needed to get on to a positive career path and take on roles to become active and responsible citizens, such as through volunteering and mentoring and a range of activities including football, radio DJing and planter building.

At Monday’s Ashfield showcase, held from 11am to 2pm at Community Centrepoint + ,in Diamond Avenue, activities will include a bike workshop, a radio DJ workshop, bird box and planter making, a healthy living sketch. There will be drink and refreshments on offer.

Alfie Smith, who heads up the Catch22 team in Ashfield, said: “We hope to see plenty of young people at the event; we have a wide range of activities to suit boys and girls throughout the age group we cater for. Although this is in Kirkby we will be providing details of what is on offer in other parts of Ashfield.

“We hope our VIP guests enjoy the event too, seeing how we work and what some of the young people we have supported in the past have achieved. It should be a great showcase and celebration and above all fun for all.”

Young people aged from 10 to 19 are welcome to just turn up on the day but can make contact through facebook at positivefuturesnottingham or text Alfie Smith on 07872 421865.