Positive Futures - Suffolk
How is Positive Futures working in Suffolk
Partners of the Project
Examples of Projects
Outcomes
Contacts
How is Positive Futures working in Suffolk?
Positive futures Suffolk was part of the 2nd phase launch and went live on December 2nd 2002. The project aims to target 13 wards in 3 County localities. These are:
Ipswich – Bridge, Chantry, Gainsborough, Priory, Stoke Park, Town and
Whitton
Waveney – Harbour, Kirkley, Normanston, St Margarets, Whitton
Haverhill – Clements
Partners of the Project
Within Suffolk the project is supported by many partner agencies including:
Ipswich Borough Council, Sport England, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Sport,
Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Drug Action Team, Waveney District Council,
ITFC, St Edmundsbury District Council
Examples of projects
Jumpers For Goalposts
The Jumpers for Goalpost project was a joint initiative between Ipswich
Borough Council and Positive Futures. The project used 5 qualified football
coaches to visit various parks and recreation grounds across Ipswich throughout
August. The areas visited were Bramford Lane, Whitton, Cobham Road, Alderman
Road, Dumbarton Road and Murray Road Recreation Grounds, as well as Bourne
Park, Alexandra Park, Gippeswyk Park and Kelly Rd Open Space
In total we ran 42 sessions and worked with 1180 young people over the 4-week
period
Aim High Basketball Camps at Thurleston and Chantry High Schools
The Aim High Basketball Camps were delivered in partnership with the Suffolk
Basketball Association and Mustangs Basketball Club. The main aims were to
use sport and physical activity to encourage a healthy lifestyle as well as
offering activity over the summer holiday period as a means of giving young
people something meaningful to do.
The camp was delivered in two wards, Chantry and Whitton over the course of
a week, with the Chantry session in the morning and Thurleston in the afternoon.
Each person was coached by Ipswich Tomcats coach, Nick Drane and his assistant,
Charlie Griffiths.
In total, 33 young people registered at the camps. At the end of the week,
prizes were handed out to every participant, with details of further planned
basketball activities given to all players. 6 players were selected to attend
Suffolk’s 1st ever-National League Basketball Programme and are attending
regularly.
Army Day
The Army day at the Garrison, Colchester provided a whole day’s worth of activities including an assault course and team building exercises. YP from the Whitton Ward of Ipswich who attended on the day broke the record for the quickest team completion of the assault course.
Motor Mechanics Project
On the 17th March 05 Positive Futures launched the Reverse Motor Mechanic project. The project aims to work with young people aged 13-19 in South-East Ipswich and make constructive use of their free time by engaging them in a 10-week motor mechanic programme.
The key objectives of the project are to:
- Highlight the dangers of car crime to young people
- To develop a responsible attitude within the young person towards the use and handling of vehicles
- To build and restore a motor vehicle whilst learning basic motor mechanic skills in a workshop environment
The project involves stripping and then restoring a motor vehicle to be fit to race at Foxhall Stadium. After the completion of the 10-week course the 4 participants will hopefully be awarded a Quality assurance attendance award, awarded by the institute of Motors as well as having the opportunity to race the vehicle at Foxhall Stadium. The Tutor for the project is Steve Bassingwaighte of Suffolk College
Outcomes
- All 15 young people in the Waveney ‘New Opportunities Fund’ group achieved a basic first aid certificate and have gained their silver gloves 3 star awards. Feedback from the 3 schools referring to the project has been very positive
- Of the 15 ‘New Opportunities Fund’ members, 4 have started full time jobs, 7 have started fulltime college and 2 are on E2E training
- Three 18 year olds on the Waveney project are now working as volunteers to support younger peers. This has been formalised and the young volunteer programme is funding them.
- The Waveney fit for life project was visited by a delegation from Go-East and the Home Office. The project is now awaiting a ministerial visit by Caroline Flint
- In Ipswich a Positive Futures Basketball club has been formed in the Whitton ward
- The ‘Jumpers for goalposts football project’ worked with 1180 young people in total over a 4-week period in the 2004 summer holidays and linked some of the young people into football clubs in there local area.
- Positive Futures in Ipswich secured a grant of £3015.00 to assist the establishment of the Murrayside Zebras basketball club in the Gainsborough Ward of Ipswich. Creating opportunities for 40 young people to gain competitive basketball opportunities
- Pupils of Thurleston High School In Ipswich completed a 10-week music production, writing and creative writing course.
- Six players from the Ipswich Aim-High Basketball camps were selected to attend Suffolk’s 1st ever-national league Basketball programme and are attending regularly.
- Positive Futures have successfully worked with 4 High Schools and 2 Pupil referral units providing an alternative curriculum for referred students
Contact
For further details on the Suffolk Positive Futures Project contact:
Paul Knight on 07717 290545 or email paul.knight@yots.suffolkcc.gov.uk