Summer Scheme Success
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Young people in the Canley area were kept busy and active during the recent summer holidays thanks to a co-ordinated activity scheme.
The scheme, organised by the Canley Safe and Active Delivery Group, which is led by Coventry City Council's Neighbourhood Action team, built on work started last year by the Westwood Neighbourhood Police Team which aimed to help reduce anti-social behaviour. Local youngsters from the Canley area were offered a range of activities to take part in - including football, basketball, martial arts, swimming, fishing, cooking and circus skills. The youngsters who ranged in age between eight and sixteen were also encouraged to get involved in community improvement activities like gardening and litter picking as a way of giving something back to the community they live in.
Activity sessions were led by various organisations such as Sky Blues in the Community and Coventry Crusaders Foundation, with support by officers from Westwood Neighbourhood Police Team particularly PCSO Andy Fox, and utilising local facilities such as the Xcel Centre and Canley Community Centre. Over the course of the holidays over 100 young people took part.
Reports show that anti-social behaviour among young people in the Canley area was reduced by 38% compared with last year and by 66% over two years. The young people themselves commented on the scheme with 91% saying they learnt something new, 78% saying they felt safe and 70% saying it kept them off the streets, and that they made new friends.
Councillor Ed Ruane, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Action, Housing and Culture and Leisure, said: "I'm delighted that the scheme was such a big success, both in encouraging young people to stay healthy and fit but also in contributing to a reduction in anti-social behaviour. It's great when young people can give something back into their own local community and the kids of Canley are setting a fine example to everyone regardless of age."
The attached photo shows Joshua Poller, aged 10, being presented with a certificate for attending all of the community improvement activities. He was presented with the certificate by Sergeant John Hannan. Also in the photo is PC Peter Ormond, and Richard Middleton, Community Connections Officer, Neighbourhood Action.
