Creating Stronger & Safer Communities

GLL co-ordinates pilot scheme to help young offenders in Waltham Forest gain nationally recognised qualifications

In a bid to divert young offenders in Waltham Forest away from youth crime, gang culture and anti-social behaviour, GLL co-ordinated and delivered a project to train young people from the borough as fitness instructors.

Creating new opportunities to develop skills

A need to address training and employment was identified by Waltham Forest Police, Team Leyton and the Youth Offending Team.  Waltham Forest has areas of deprivation, where young people involved in or convicted of crime have limited opportunities to develop new skills and so were likely to re-offend.

With sport and physical activity proven to reduce re-offending rates -- as shown by a previous initiative in Newham -- the pilot project featured a three-month GLL membership for each of the candidates and 60 hours of course training delivered by Proactive Health Promotions.  Funding was via the Youth Offending Team, Team Leyton and the Leyton Safe Neighbourhoods Team.

Reducing anti-social behaviour

Adding a new dimension to the Youth Offending Team resettlement and aftercare programmes, the project helped to reduce anti-social behaviour in the community and raised awareness of training and employment opportunities in the leisure industry.

Providing young people with a stepping stone into employment, the project saw five out of eight candidates pass and obtain level one qualifications and join a level two course subsidised through another partnership initiative.  Two candidates went on to be offered employment by GLL as casual fitness instructors.

Monitoring re-offending rates

Following the success of the pilot, the partnership is funding a further course for up to twelve young people from Waltham Forest.  Re-offending rates will be monitored closely, with future plans for leisure industry training to become integrated into young offenders' rehabilitation programmes.

What a trainee instructor says

"I really enjoyed this course.  It was good to do something different and learn something new.  I play a lot of football and using the gym and knowing how to train properly has helped me to improve my fitness and out run all my team mates when I'm ont the ball.  Passing the course meant I was able to progress to a level two course.  I am still waiting for my results but, fingers crossed, I will soon be a qualified fitness instructor.  When I finish with the Youth Offending Team I plan to finish studying and get a place at university."  Dean, 16