Over 9,000 young people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent took part in fun activities this Summer thanks to the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Space Programme.
The programme, for children aged between 8 and 17, brings together public, voluntary and private sector organisations to provide activities for young people during the school holidays.
It is funded by Proceeds of Crime funding with a contribution by Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, and aims to help increase young people’s skills, improve their health and wellbeing and create opportunities, while also aiming to reduce levels of anti-social behaviour (ASB).
This year, 9,219 young people attended 2,800 activities, with a total attendance of 23,480 and 46,988 hours of engagement.
As well as activities that are open for all to enjoy, the Space Programme also funds targeted activities for children who are vulnerable or live in an area subject to high levels of ASB.
Since being relaunched, Space has gone from strength to strength, contributing to an 81.9% reduction in youth ASB during the summer holiday period since 2016. 1,310 reports of youth-related ASB were recorded during the school summer holidays in 2016 compared to 237 in 2025.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “Space has been running in its current format since 2015, and it continues to grow each year.
“It’s a great opportunity for children from a variety of backgrounds to meet new friends and try something new during the school holidays.
“A huge thanks to all partners that come together to facilitate the activities which help to reduce anti-social behaviour and make a positive difference in our communities.
“I look forward to hearing more of the feedback from everyone who attended or supported this year’s programme, and I hope to see just as many young people enjoying Space next Summer!”
Activities in the Staffordshire Space Programme for 2025 included fishing, horse riding, days out and multi-sport sessions.
The programme received positive feedback from young people, their parents, guardians or carers and activity providers:
“Thank you for having us, it was a really enjoyable experience, and definitely something I would be interested in getting more involved with if that’s possible.”
“X had such a great day, he didn’t stop talking about it telling all his friends and family.”
“I saw our children having fun and getting excited over small things that we sometimes take for granted.”
“It was the best day of my life, and I didn’t want to leave.”
“We wouldn’t have been able to access holiday provision without SPACE. The fact that it was fully funded meant my child could take part in something new, make friends, and not feel left out during the holidays.”
“It gave me something to look forward to in the holidays. I didn’t feel bored or left out anymore.”
“Young people had an amazing summer for some it was their highlight of the week.
They made new friends gained confidence and now continue to go to the weekly youth club.”
“It was incredibly helpful for us as working parents to know that our children were spending time in a safe, engaging, and fun environment.”
“The best part was cooking because I learned how to make something healthy and easy. I showed my mum at home.”
“For the first time ever in the holidays I have been able to know my son is having fun and is engaged in activities he enjoys and a place who understand him, while I have been able to spend valuable time with his sibling.”
Case study:
During the summer holidays, child ‘A’ has actively got involved in a variety of different activities including axe throwing, canoeing, crate stacking, raft building, challenge wall, horse riding, kayaking, climbing and abseiling. ‘A’ has absolutely loved attending these sessions and has had an opportunity to get involved in activities that he has never tried before.
During the course of these activities, ‘A’s’ confidence has grown dramatically, and he has had an opportunity to engage positively with different young people from across the city.
Engaging in challenging activities has had a positive impact on ‘A’s’ self-esteem and has encouraged him to concentrate and focus on tasks, something which he struggles to do.
‘A’ has described that he has had “the best summer of his life” and talks positively of every activity he engaged with.
