Youth club receives funding boost by PCC to help young people thrive

A new youth club aimed at combatting anti-social behaviour in Darlington is already helping to strengthen relationships with young people and unlock potential.

The facility, based at The Haven, Aspen House, Darlington, is aimed at providing young people with access to a safe space to socialise and try out new activities.

County Durham and Darlington PCC Joy Allen provided a grant worth £11k to YMCA Tees Valley to launch the facility and purchase leisure equipment including dartboards, a mini golf set and a pool table.

Additionally, some of the funding was used to provide 18 weeks of free gym sessions for young people at Paradigm Fitness Darlington, opposite the youth club, with circuit training equipment,boxing bags, bungee fitness and weights available.

It comes as the PCC advances her engagement work with young people across the force area in preparation for the publication of a new Youth Police, Crime and Justice Plan.

The Commissioner is consulting thousands of young people aged between eight and 24 through a series of surveys to understand their worries and what will make them feel safer and more supported in their communities.

In a further youth project, the PCC has commissioned Northumbria University to undertake extensive research to assess current youth provision across the force area, how it meets the needs of young people and the wider community and what – if any – gaps are evident in the area.

The project involves interpreting police and local authority data at anti-social behaviour and serious youth violence hotspots in conjunction with survey results to understand the scope of provision available for young people in these areas.  Darlington is one of the areas already identified as requiring further youth services to address current challenges faced by young people in the town.  

As part of her Police, Crime and Justice Plan priority ‘Safer People Safer Places’, the PCC has vowed to prevent and divert young people away from serious violence and criminality through a range of targeted early intervention services for those at greatest risk of offending. She has also pledged to understand the drivers and risk factors contributing to involvement in serious violence and criminality locally.

Staff at The Haven are already reporting improved engagement with young people following the PCC’s investment and say the facility is attracting newcomers every week.

Young people have also provided positive feedback about the new facilities and equipment.

The force is working closely with the YMCA and other agencies as part of its efforts to reduce and prevent ASB in Darlington town centre.

The aim of the project is the reduce ASB incidents and repeat offending and provide young people with a safe space to build friendships, connect with their peers and develop social skills. It also aims to provide wider mentorship opportunities allowing young people to connect with positive role models and mentors in their communities who can provide advice and guidance.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “I’m really pleased with how well this project has been received. Young people consistently tell us there is not enough to keep them occupied or entertained, and I am listening, channelling funding into new facilities that give young people the freedom to have fun and express themselves without any risks to their safety.

“I am grateful to everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition. Already, the club is promoting a sense of belonging and helping young people to build relationships with each other and trusted adults. The free gym sessions have also gone down well, with many taking up the offer to improve their physical and mental health.”

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