Thanks to a unique project, young people heading down a path of crime are now leading healthy and positive lifestyles. Active Essex Foundation (AEF) uses sport and physical activity as a way of reducing young people's vulnerability to exploitation and criminality. As part of its Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Programme, the charity works with sports clubs to deliver the AEF Sport and Life Skills intervention project.
Ten to 24-year-olds who are vulnerable, already involved in criminality or victims of exploitation are offered the opportunity to take part in sport sessions - while also receiving the wrap-around care of mentoring and life skills coaching.
Here are the stories of four young people who are turning their lives around thanks to the project.
A 17-year-old male from Colchester had been working with the Youth Justice Programme as a result of his previous lifestyle. He was given support by the AEF Sports and Life Skills team and invited to attend Muay Thai classes as part of the project. Now, he volunteers three days per week, runs one-to-one boxing sessions, has completed safeguarding and first aid training, and has been offered the opportunity to gain a personal training qualification. He has an improved relationship with his family and is more positively involved with the community.
A 17-year-old male from Thurrock was not in employment, education or training and was on a Detention and Training Order, as well as being on licence. He had been keen to get into rugby, with little success until he was referred to the project. He was provided with kit and introduced to Thurrock Rugby Football Club, where project partners were 'firm but fair', giving him a buddy on the pitch to support him. He now attends weekly training, is working towards competing in matches and has joined a gym to support his training.
Jim White, sport and youth crime prevention project manager, said: "He now has something positive to focus on. He has a new friendship group and supportive adults around him.
"The rugby club has given him a great sense of belonging. He is taking the correct action to achieve the positive life path he wants."
A 15-year-old male from Basildon was experiencing complex family and housing needs, a lack of basic human needs such as clothing and food, was involved with social care and had got involved in exploitation. Funded by the project, he was able to join a local club and take part in football and boxing sessions. The team also supported him with social care meetings and liaison with the police to keep him safe. As a result of the relationship built, he felt more willing and able to talk about his difficulties and found comfort in sport.
Jim said: "He had a great interest in sport and felt motivated and supported by caring staff around him. He faces many difficulties, but always with positivity and a desire to change his life."
A 13-year-old female, also from Basildon, had been in trouble with the police for fighting both in and out of school. She was taken to horse-riding lessons as part of the project, as well as given one-to-one support. The reward of horse-riding sessions was enough to keep her out of trouble. She now volunteers and helps out at holiday clubs.
She said: "I felt so welcome. It's like my life changed around for the better.
"I'm staying out of trouble. It's helped me so much."
These young people are among a total of 754 who registered for the Sport and Life Skills programmes in the year 2023 to 2024 - up by 114% on the previous year.
Of the success stories, Suzanne Page, sport and youth crime prevention project manager, said: "The structured AEF Sport and Life Skills programme offers young people positive activities in safe and welcoming spaces, with trusted adults who can support and guide them onto a proactive pathway. A good number of young people who were not in education, employment or training have now returned to school or college, are attending training courses or have entered into employment and are progressing well.
"This work has also supported the reduction of antisocial behaviour, youth criminality or exposure to exploitation. We are very pleased with our results, both in terms of the number of young people engaged and the growth of the sports and mentor sector, but most importantly in giving young people new focus and inspiring them to reach their full potential.
"We have given them opportunities, as we have seen in these individual outcomes."