The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is funding a programme of summer activities for young people in Walsall.
David Jamieson is investing hundreds of thousands of pounds to reduce the risk of young people in the West Midlands committing and being victims of violent crime over the summer holidays.
The Inspire Group is engaging with young people aged up to 20 in sessions which will run until October. The sessions provide young people the opportunity to engage in positive activities such as football, dodgeball, tennis, table tennis and cricket.
As well as providing sporting activities, the project is also engaging young people in workshops aimed at mindfulness and mental wellbeing.
Young people aged 16-19 also receive workshops and guidance on how to facilitate community sports sessions and feedback into the wider community.
The Inspire Group attracts around 50 young people each day and seeks to build a stronger, more vibrant and active community.
The aim of the project is to get young people off the streets and engaged in activities, enabling them to make a positive difference in their community.
By attending the centre the young people have had the opportunity to learn, develop, make new friends, challenge themselves and take part in a range of engaging activities.
Following a visit to the project, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Waheed Saleem said: “The rise in violent crime across the country and here in the West Midlands has been well documented. The region has seen an 85% rise in knife since 2012.
“The PCC is investing over half a million pounds to provide diversionary activities for young people in the West Midlands, to reduce violent crime.
“The Inspire Foundation is a fine example of project which is helping get young people off the streets and giving them positive activities to engage with.
“The centre is providing great opportunities for young people to make new friends, learn new life skills and make a positive contribution to their local community”.
Alex Howard from The Inspire Group added: “The summer provision provides an environment for our young people to get more active, make positive choices and become valued members of our community.”
Back to News Archive