Case studies
Back to previous pageYoung People's football case studies
Football Gives Young Offenders a New Purpose
Name of project: YOT FOOTBALL TEAM
NDS theme: Young People
Who funds it?: Southend DAT and Southend Youth Offending Team
Organisation/Region: Southend Youth Offending Team, Eastern
Name: Derek Eyre
Tel/email: 01702 608 500 derekeyre@southend.gov.uk
Background/what the project does
Southend DAT has joined forces with the Youth Offending Team to sponsor and organise a football team for young people with drug and alcohol related problems. Young people aged between 10 and 18 who are identified as either at risk from drugs, or as drug users, are referred to the YOT via the Youth Justice Board Mentoring scheme.
The team, called the 'Amigos', provides vital self-esteem for young men who are often either repeat offenders, on licence from custody or looked after in the care system. The team provides stability and encourages commitment - twice weekly training sessions provide regular contact. Through the team, young men are able to access other mentoring services and more sports related activity.
What makes it different?
It is a true partnership between the YOT, the DAT and the Youth Justice Board with some added financial support from a group of defence solicitors who sponsor the team shirts. The financial cost of the project is low, it involves staff commitment and time. By giving young men a sense of belonging and a reason to stay 'clean' the team has been able to help people like 'Michael' (see below). The team has been so successful that it won the local Division 1 championship in its first season!
Quotes
"Michael has been in care since he was 10 and is on licence from custody. He wanted to go back into custody over Christmas. He has spent the last four Christmas's there. We persuaded him to join the football team as a goalkeeper one Saturday. This gave him such a sense of self-worth that he complied with his order and stayed out of custody. The simple idea of sponsoring the football team for young men at risk from drugs has given us a way of connecting with them and also given them a great deal of self-esteem."
Last Updated: 29/07/2003
