Newcastle Borough Council is backing the re-launch of the popular Space scheme by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis to provide fun activities for young people during the school summer holiday.
Space was originally led by police in Staffordshire during the 80’s and 90’s aimed at engaging with young people. The new version of Space, coordinated by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, has now been refreshed and updated.
Mr Ellis has pledged up to £140,000 to fund activities with an aim to increase skills, improve health and general wellbeing by creating opportunities for young people to engage positively. Activities include sporting events, arts and crafts and music production.
The Space programme which will finish on Friday 4 September is aimed at 11-17 year olds and will offer a wide range of events and activities across Newcastle and the surrounding areas.
Mr Ellis said: “I am bringing back a new version of Space to provide activities for youngsters during the school holidays. It aims to provide a positive experience for young people and opportunity to engage with public and voluntary sector organisations.
“The Space scheme has come back to life thanks to the hard work of a small group of colleagues in my office. This time around it will be different and will supplement existing activities being supported by local authorities but the principles remain the same.
“The Chief Constable has agreed that neighbourhood policing teams will be at the heart of Space and is enthusiastically behind it.
“My hope is that Space 2015 is just the start as I envisage the scheme expanding over coming years.”
Newcastle Borough Council has worked closely with the PCC’s office to organise and plan local Space activities.
Councillor Elizabeth Shenton, Newcastle Borough Council Leader, said: “I am really pleased that Space is being introduced again as I remember it from the 80s. It is really important to provide activities for young people and to get children out and about.”
More information, including a calendar of events, is available at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/space
