Youth Inclusion Project
The Youth Inclusion Programme is a Government initiative targeting 50 of the most ‘at risk’ 15-17 year olds in an area by spending at least 5 hours a week actively engaging them. Through the scheme we have worked closely with 7 targeted individuals and with a wider group of 20 of their peers.
Over the year we have looked to effect behavioural changes and reduce their criminal involvement as well as to get them new skills and accreditations. We have taken the group on a wide range of trips, got them involved in DJ workshops and art projects, introduced them to new sports, activities and much more.
The impact of such schemes can be hard to measure but we have seen radical transformations in the young people themselves, some of whom have actually started to help us run events for other young people in the community.
“When I first started out I did an ‘Engage’ course and got qualifications like a sports leadership award, health & safety and climbing wall assistant. I met new friends, got to know the staff well and it made me think I was doing something with my life.
"I got qualifications in English which really helped me out a lot because I didn’t get a GCSE in it. I also learnt things about employment and interviews and I spent hard work practicing them which has helped me a lot.
“Without the Y.I.P. project I wouldn’t have got to spend as much time with my friends and the CG staff as I do. Now I can go up to a member of staff and ask for advice and talk about things I couldn’t talk to others about. The trips have been fun and brilliant – I get to spend the day out doing something I probably wouldn’t ever have tried. Without City Gateway I would probably still just be hanging out on the streets like I used to do.”
