An organisation in Stoke-on-Trent is providing sporting activities for young people thanks to a grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s People Power Fund.
The ‘Friday Night Club’, run by Port Vale Foundation Trust, is aiming to reduce anti-social behaviour across the north of Stoke-on-Trent by encouraging young people to attend and take part in a range of different sporting activities.
The trust is running a variety of sporting sessions, including glow in the dark football, laser tag and Netball, aimed at keeping young people active and providing an alternative place for young people to go.
Alongside the sporting sessions, the trust is also holding educational workshops focussing on the perils of young people becoming involved in crime. These workshops have included talks from Staffordshire Police, members of Port Vale Football Club and reformed ex-offenders.
Port Vale Foundation Trust were awarded £2,995 for the project.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis, said:
‘It was great to see young people keeping active and having a good time at The Friday Night Youth Club. Port Vale Foundation Trust is doing a fantastic job of engaging with youngsters in Stoke-on-Trent, encouraging them to attend the club rather than gather in the streets where anti-social behaviour could occur.
‘The best ideas to reduce crime, social harm and anti-social behaviour often come from communities affected by those issues. That’s why, since 2013 I’ve increased the funding provided for simple things that make local areas safer and better to live in.
‘At the heart of developing the Commissioner’s People Power Fund and Proceeds of Crime Fund was listening to those who are closest to the problem and supporting their ideas with funding to try and fix things. I’m continuing this because the principle has been so successful over the last few years.
‘Tackling the issues, building community spirit and often reducing repeat demand on policing means providing that financial help at the most local level is really cost effective.’
Kevin Sanders, Project Development manager at Port Vale Foundation Trust, added:
‘’The funding Port Vale foundation have received from the Police and Crime Commissioner has allowed us to create a fantastic early intervention programme, using sport as a vehicle, to create a positive change in so many children’s lives.
‘The youth club has given many children a place to take part in activities here at the football club and have fun in a safe environment rather than going out on streets and potentially ending up in gangs and anti-social behaviour.
‘We are now offering a flourishing weekly club that hosts over 20 children each week and the local community is now starting to see a positive change in the previous hot spots for anti-social behaviour from the younger population.’
