RIO
Knights Youth Centre’s (KYC) philosophy (which supports the Every Child Matters paper) is to promote the welfare of the young people, provide positive experiences and opportunities that will enable each young person to become more self confident, safe, ready for adulthood and independent. In line with our philosophy and long term plan we are developing to extend and expand a dynamic service called Reachin’ Out (RIO).
The continuation of RIO materialised from a very successful pilot porgramme funded by Clapham Park Project with a small group of young men aged 16 - 18 who were creating a significant number of anti social incidents within the locality.
The overall aim of Reachin’ Out will be to engage young people aged 10 – 16 who are or at risk of becoming
involved in knife or gun crime and any connected criminal/negative behaviour through positive and diversionary range of programmes.
This will also include young people who are ‘gang members’ within the community.
Reachin’ Out will have the following key objectives:
· Deliver a range of sessions across a range of times and days including Saturdays and Sundays.
· Develop the sessions based on the individual and collective needs of the young people.
· Develop self awareness and improve self esteem, health and confidence of the young people.
· Provide the young people with mechanisms and tools to say ‘no’ to carrying/using a knife or gun, negative peer pressure and anti social/criminal behaviour.
· To focus on the positive aspects and attributes of the people.
· To reengage the young people into education, employment and training.
· To develop effective communication skills which will enable the young people to avoid conflict.
· To develop Peer Mentors (young people aged 17 – 21) through TYLAP who can work with the group.
· To reduce the chances of the young men remaining within the criminal environment.
· To improve communication and relations between young people and the local Police.
Reachin’ Out will seek to strengthen and develop current and new partnerships and others over the duration of the project. This will include breaking down the ‘territorial issues’ among the target group.
Many thanks to the Home Office Community Fund for funding RIO for three years.
Contact Stu @ KYC for more info.