LAC Programme Review - 2006-2008

Programme Review 2006–2008

Programme Review 2006–2008 Foreword

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Having grown up in a working class area in South London, I have first hand experiences of the challenges life can present to young people in areas where money and opportunities are rare. It is easy for a young person to give up hope, fall into the depths of poverty, turn to drugs and alcohol and even crime within this environment. It is also very easy for young people not to pursue their goals or realise their talent because of a lack of self-esteem, low aspirations or lack of opportunities. I regularly return to South London, and visit other cities, and I know the challenges faced by young people today are as hard, if not harder, than they were when I was growing up.

I also know the impact community projects can have on the lives of young people in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The local adventure playground, football club, gym or youth club can provide a safe and supportive environment for young people to develop their social skills, sporting or cultural talents, build friendships and achieve their goals. The people who work in such projects – volunteers and paid workers alike – provide a range of support for young people, acting as coach, mentor, teacher and more. Through my own experiences I know this support and advice can make a huge difference in the choices young people make as they grow into adulthood. It is these experiences that have led me to launch my Rio Ferdinand Live The Dream Foundation, to support such projects in both the UK and overseas.

I fully endorse and support the work that London Active Communities and the Active Communities Network are doing across the UK, supporting young people in the most difficult of circumstances and supporting both National Governing Bodies in Sports, Government and community organisations to work more effectively in this environment. This review demonstrates the innovative approach London Active Communities has to working within the community and the successes it has achieved over the past two years. I am sure the continual development of these services will benefit many more communities in the future.

Rio FerdinandFounder, Rio Ferdinand Live The Dream Foundation, 2008

Contents

� Foreword

Fast Foot Forward: Executive Summary 4 Laying The Foundations5 Next Steps6 Meet The Team7 Talking Numbers

8 Partner Perspective9 Real Stories

10 Project Focus: Southwark Breaking Barriers12 Project Focus: Positive Futures14 Project Focus: Bromley Community Programme16 Future Focus: Workforce Development & Training

Laying the foundationsA crucial stage in our development has been putting the right infrastructure in place to ensure that London Active Communities can deliver its vision for the future. Since 2006, we have established a dedicated core staff team, secured Charity status, set up new offices both in central London and in local neighbourhoods as well as successfully rebranded and embedded monitoring and evaluation into our activities.

Originally set up as a local voluntary sector organisation, London Active Communities has now achieved charitable status. The process of becoming a Charity gave us the chance to review and refine the aims and objectives of the organisation. Charitable status is a better reflection of our activities and will open the door to more fundraising opportunities and therefore more delivery.

A new staffing structure with a broad skills base gives us a strong basis for effective delivery. Our committed, talented team has expertise across partnership building, youth and community work, as well as sports and arts development. They will ensure that London Active Communities is always at the forefront of innovation in the field of sports and community development. Formerly operating from a small community sports club in Camberwell, the team has now taken up residence in the London South Bank University Technopark at Elephant and Castle. This new location not only raises our profile, it also makes it easier for us to meet with our partners and funders. At the same time, we’ve opened local community offices across London to ensure that we have a strong presence within all the neighbourhoods that we are working.

In line with our new status, London Active Communities has introduced a new visual identity which captures our vibrancy and the geographical spread of our activities. Young people and local residents were heavily involved in the consultation process and everyone is proud of the brand, which will make our marketing materials instantly recognisable.

Throughout the past two years, the team has also worked closely with local projects and partnerships to capacity build them and sustain project delivery from 2008 onwards. In addition, we have implemented a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework. Developed in partnership with the Home Office and Positive Futures, the framework will help us evidence impact and successes against the five Every Child Matters outcomes.

Fast Foot Forward: Executive Summary

Next stepsLondon Active Communities is currently developing its strategy for the period 2008-201�, with a view to encompassing new policy challenges, shifting social and economic trends and the opportunities afforded by the Olympic legacy, to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of social inclusion, sport and youth work.

Our priorities for the future include:

n Ensuring the ongoing sustainability of our direct project delivery, broadening both reach and depth of our activities.

n Extending our volunteering, education, training and employment projects and promoting citizenship and progression routes in low-income neighbourhoods.

n Working more closely with sports’ governing bodies in order to maximise participation and embed personal development programmes within sport.

n Developing a multi-skilled workforce, both volunteers and paid staff, who can deliver groundbreaking projects which bring together sports, arts and youth work.

n Putting monitoring and evaluation at the heart of project delivery. It’s not just a case of doing the work; we want to evidence impact and success against local policy and funding priorities.

n Using research and evaluation to bring academic credibility to our work and prove our impact. This evidence will underpin our lobbying and influencing activities.

n Developing the Active Communities Network to build strategic networks, share learning, and support partner agencies and projects in both the UK and overseas.

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Talk about fast foot forward! The past two years have been a time of rapid change, achievement and consolidation for London Active Communities. This report reflects on our progress, highlights our programme of ground- breaking delivery and also sets out our priorities for the period 2008–201�.

London Active Communities will continue to influence and shape youth, community sport and social inclusion strategies in London and beyond.

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Fast Foot Forward: Executive Summary

Gary StannettChief ExecutiveAppointed in April 2007, Gary comes with a first-class track record having previously worked as National Programme Director for the Home Office funded Positive Futures initiative as well as National Strategy Manager for the Football Foundation. Gary has vast experience in the fields of sport development and youth and community work, particularly with the Kickstart programme in Southwark. In 2005, Gary was awarded the MBE for services to young people.

Rebecca DonnellyProgramme Development ManagerRebecca is responsible for developing our boxing, exercise and fitness programmes with a primary focus on working with girls and young women. She has previously held community development roles for Positive Futures, a large housing association and a community arts project. Rebecca’s achievements include managing a young people’s film project which resulted in the production of “The Endz” which won Best Short Film at the Raindance Film Festival in 2005. She’s also a successful sportswoman and held the world professional kick-boxing championship at 57kgs until her retirement in 2006.

Shinead PhilpottProgramme Development ManagerShinead has responsibility for London Active Communities’ work in the London Borough of Lambeth. She comes with a wealth of experience in youth and community work, having previously coordinated projects for the national crime prevention charity Crime Concern and the Kickstart programme. She was also formerly a youth worker for the London Borough of Southwark.

Oliur RahmanProgramme Development ManagerOliur’s expertise lies in partnership building and community cohesion so he makes a valuable contribution to our strategic skills base. Prior to joining London Active Communities, Oliur worked as project manager for the Aylesbury Young People’s Project with responsibility for developing strategic relationships and engaging the voluntary sector at both local and regional levels. He has also managed a Youth Justice Board funded youth inclusion project and coordinated a sports and youth work programme in East London.

Talking Numbers

n Young people engaged in London Active Communities projects (78% male, 22% female): 20�7

n Sessions delivered in sport, coaching, health, music, dance & film: 2086

n Average contact hours delivered through sessions, per participant: 26.�5

n Training courses delivered: 21

n Total numbers of volunteers and coaches trained: �10

n Accreditations and Awards achieved: 86

(July 07 – March 08)

Meet the team

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Partner Perspective Real Stories

Mandy AyersCSR Manager, Nike Within the world of Corporate and Social Responsibility it is important to ensure financial investment, human resources and strategic support is used to the maximum benefit for the most marginalised communities. Here at Nike we pride ourselves on using our resources and influence to support the most marginalised communities in a sustainable manner, by working with the best placed community groups and charities within those localities.

Working with London Active Communities has been a key partnership for Nike in this process, and has allowed us to engage with some of the most disadvantaged communities in London. As a partnership we have also engaged with mainstream funding agencies to access additional funding to provide sports activities, education and social development programmes and capacity building for local coaches.

I look forward to continuing our work with London Active Communities in both project development and training, and in a new research initiative to support young women in participating in sports and physical activity.

Brian DickensDirector, Sport Action ZoneThe Sport Action Zone is directly funded by Sport England to develop and enhance the range and quality of sports coaching and participation in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. In particular, sports participation by excluded groups and low income communities.

In delivering this programme we have found the skills base needed by coaches working in this environment goes beyond coaching and sporting progression and increasingly into the field of youth and community work and educational support. London Active Communities has always been a key partner for us in engaging with local sports clubs and community groups, providing training and support for volunteers. More recently this training and support has extended to supporting the professional development of coaches – providing a package of support from one day professional workshops to NVQ� accredited training.

I fully endorse the work of London Active Communities as both a project delivery partner and workforce development and training agency, and look forward to continuing our relationship as this activity extends across London and the South East.

Shane Freeman Roach, 20I was at a loose end after finishing my Electronics Course at college when I got involved with London Active Communities in Bromley. I met with project workers one evening on my estate and have since participated in various sports sessions including football, basketball and street hockey. I’ve also attended youth group drop-ins at the community flat in ICT and careers support. The project worker’s support made me more motivated to achieve my goals and I’m pleased I’ve now gained a FA Level 1 qualification, and want to progress to Level 2. Hopefully this will up my chance of getting paid football coaching part-time. I still want to pursue a career in Electronics and this has been supported by the learning skills team. London Active Communities inspires young people to achieve something in life.

Jade Tanisha Henriques, 19When I left school with no qualifications I got onto a Princes Trust programme and then a hairdressing course at Lambeth College. Through volunteering at half term and summer sessions for younger girls, I was offered a Level 1 place on a Youth Work course by London Active Communities and haven’t looked back. I was able to get practical work experience and access courses and training. I am now a project manager on a Youth Cinema project called Picture Box, and am due to complete my Level 2 Youth Worker qualification. Through volunteering I found a career, and plan to continue training and gaining as much experience as I can. Youth work is my passion; I’ve been able to give something positive back to young people and become a role model.

Alejandro Reyes, 20 The boxing programme run by London Active Communities has had a big impact on my life. I got involved through boxing at the Fitzroy Lodge club and joining in the coaching sessions. As I became more involved I started to volunteer on schools programmes, and was then able to go onto a formal ABAE coaching course to teach non-contact boxing. This has led to paid work. I’m also on the VRQ Level � Youth Work course and have had lots of support. Getting involved with London Active Communities means young people like me can access volunteering and training, or just participate in boxing and sports sessions. It’s a great opportunity and can open many doors.

Working principally in Elephant and Castle, West Bermondsey, Walworth and Aylesbury/Burgess Park, these projects engage young people in their own familiar community settings, particularly on their estates. By partnering with local agencies, London Active Communities ensures that these projects deliver their cross-cutting social agenda.

A diverse range of positive activities, from dance and boxing to film-making and crafts workshops, is used to develop a common interest and build understanding between communities. These activities are easy to access, free of charge and are offered in tandem with personal and social development workshops.

The ultimate aim is to promote cultural awareness and to tackle the broader social issues associated with territorialism and lack of tolerance. In parallel, there is a strong emphasis on broadening the individual horizons of young people and developing their sense of self-esteem and citizenship.

Progression routes for the participants include vocational training programmes and accreditation. However, empowering the local community itself is a strong theme: young people are encouraged to act as role models, mentors and coaches. In this way, young people can inform and influence the future development of their neighbourhoods.

Project Focus: Southwark Breaking Barriers

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Active Communities uses sport and the arts to unite local neighbourhoods in the north of Southwark, smashing barriers created by differences in race, ethnicity and cultural background.

Fast FactsThe Aylesbury Young People’s Programme, funded by Aylesbury New Deal for Communities and delivered by London Active Communities, piloted the Breaking Barriers approach. Independent research carried out by MORI over 5 years found the following results:

n Over 150 young people were supported through youth inclusion projects

n Nearly �0% of residents now feel safer

n �00% increase in educational achievement on the estate, from 17% of Aylesbury children achieving 5 GCSE passes in 1999 to 55% in 2006

n �0% of residents say their health has improved in the last 12 months

n In 2002 52% of residents considered drug dealing and drug use to be a serious problem. In 2006 this had fallen to �0%

n In 2002 56% of residents considered teenagers hanging around on streets to be a problem. In 2006 this had fallen to 21%

The Aylesbury Young People’s Programme continues to be the delivery mechanism for Breaking Barriers in Southwark.

Funded by the Home Office and Football Foundation, the Positive Futures programme supports young people in the most socially and economically deprived areas of the country and has consistently demonstrated significant levels of engagement and impact against a range of social issues including poverty, substance misuse, education and social exclusion.

We run four Positive Futures programmes, each with a different emphasis to meet the needs of the individual communities.

CroydonThe Croydon project operates in the South Norwood and Selhurst wards. Working with Crystal Palace FC and Nike, the emphasis is on delivering a multi-sport programme, including basketball, football and Street 20 cricket. In addition the project focuses on drug and alcohol education and referral options for excluded pupils. A volunteering scheme also gives young people the chance to gain accreditation and youth work qualifications.

Lambeth South Lambeth South Positive Futures delivers outreach and street based programmes in West Norwood. This area has few formal sports and recreation facilities, so an innovative and creative approach is essential to engage the most disengaged young people. Our staff work with Lambeth Community Sports Coaches to deliver a multi-sport scheme, coupled with youth work and social development projects that build confidence and relationships. Young people are then supported into mainstream education, sports and youth provision, or helped to develop ongoing activities locally.

WandsworthFunded by the Football Foundation, Positive Futures in Wandsworth is delivered in partnership with the Chelsea FC Football In the Community programme. Operating in Furzedown, Tooting and Earlsfield, a range of sporting activities built around football, boxing and cricket are offered, with particular focus on diversity and community cohesion. Launched in March 2008 at Stamford Bridge Stadium, the project offers vocational training routes, learning support and volunteering opportunities to provide future coaches, youth workers and local role models.

BrentAs our Positive Futures programme develops we are consistently being asked to develop our relationship with the national programme. From April 2008, with a Home Office grant, we are managing a new Positive Futures programme in the Stonebridge and Church End areas of Brent and are working with the Horn Stars Somali Support Project to ensure we reach the most excluded communities in the borough.

Project Focus: Positive Futures

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A long-standing strategic and delivery partnership with the Positive Futures programme is now in its seventh year and this year London Active Communities is delivering four Positive Futures projects in the capital.

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“As Minister responsible for Positive Futures, I am proud to see what our programme is achieving. I would particularly like to thank the project staff, to whom our young people and communities are much indebted for their enthusiasm and professionalism. Everyone deserves a good start in life and I believe Positive Futures is a key part of providing this for many of our young people today.”Vernon Coaker MPUnder-Secretary of State for the Home Office‘You’re a Part Of It’ – Positive Futures Review of the Year, Crime Concern, 2007

When London Active Communities started working in Bromley, we formed a strong connection with Broomleigh Housing Trust, the borough’s largest social housing provider. Over the past three years this fruitful partnership has generated exciting projects which allow us to engage with young people at a number of different levels.

At the centre of our work in Bromley is a community flat in the South Penge Park Estate. The flat is in the heart of the community and provides a local base for project manager Earl McNeish. Before joining London Active Communities, Earl previously managed the KINGs project, working with young men aged 16-25 with educational support needs and behavioural problems in Lambeth and Southwark.

The newly renovated community flat is a place where young people can drop in, as well as access a wealth of activities and training throughout the year. Sessions range from homework clubs and group sports through to workshops in music, graphic design and arts & crafts. Support is also offered to those not in education, employment or training.

Working with Connexions, young people are inspired to prepare CVs, apply for training courses and complete job applications. The flat also provides an informal environment in which to discuss issues such as drug and substance misuse.

Our sights are now set on creating a community fitness gym on the Queen Adelaide Estate. Formerly a derelict laundry, the renovated space will be open to all ages, offering everything from fitness sessions for working mums to floor aerobics for seniors. It will also offer vocational training and accredited courses.

Project Focus: Bromley Community Programme

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Creating new and exciting facilities which occupy, entertain and educate young people in a range of activities from music and IT workshops, to sports, fitness and education programmes.

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“The Crystal Palace Ward was severely lacking in youth provision, in particular on the South Penge Park Estate. Since the implementation of the London Active Communities project we have had a reduction in complaints from residents, and a reduction in anti-social behaviour from young people. This is an achievement and a credit to the team.”Richard HorneSergeant. Crystal Palace Safer Bromley Team

“Broomleigh are delighted that over 150 children and young people are taking part in the London Active Communities programme. The team has built an excellent rapport with young people, residents and Broomleigh staff alike, and we are pleased to see the community flat used for such a positive programme. We are excited to be working with London Active Communities on expanding the success of this in other areas.”Nicola BrownCommunity Investment Officer, Broomleigh Housing Association

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“London Active Communities is driving the workforce development and training agenda in London. It has been refreshing to work with an agency that understands the dynamics of delivering community projects, and embraces the multiple skills required to work in the most challenging environments.”Rubel AhmedManaging Director, Changebox Training, 2008

Since 2006 London Active Communities has developed a key influencing role in government strategy, sports delivery and youth and community work. Our workforce development and training scheme is an expanding focus; designed to deliver sports and youth projects, personal development courses and routes into training, accreditation and jobs within marginalised and disadvantaged communities.

We have built solid partnerships with strategic bodies and developed successful referral routes to other training programmes delivered by Positive Futures, Pro-Active Partnerships and regeneration agencies. This support will allow London Active Communities to deliver an intensive package of education and training from April 2008 including:

Coaching Qualifications: introductory to Level � NGB certificates across various sports, training for Officials (e.g. refereeing) and administration.

Professional Development Days: non-accredited courses for practitioners and community coaches in a range of subjects including Equality and Diversity, Introduction to Youth Work, Working with Young People at Risk and Conflict Resolution.

Youth and Community Work: accredited training qualifications from Level 1 to VRQ Level � (Lead Worker status) as recognised by the National Youth Agency.

Community Sports Work and Community Sports Management: accreditation up to NVQ Level �.

Work Placement and Volunteering Support: training for young people aged 14+ to become peer mentors, volunteers and trainees. Designed to raise aspirations and self-esteem, the scheme has already placed participants in sports clubs, offices, schools, research companies and youth and community agencies. IT facilities, CV-writing support and careers advice can also be accessed.

London Active Communities is therefore not only supporting and developing coaches and staff to work within our disadvantaged neighbourhoods, but is also providing a frontline service to develop coaches and youth workers from those communities. This approach not only helps to fill a skills gap as London 2012 and its legacy draws nearer, but will also help to break the cycle of low esteem, low aspirations and ultimately low achievement that blights the communities in which we work.

Future Focus: Workforce Development & Training

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With over one million pounds worth of investment over the next � years from the Football Foundation, local authorities, Pro-Active South London and National Governing Bodies in Sport (NGB), our workforce development programme is going from strength to strength.

Future Focus: Workforce Development & Training

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Batting for ChangeBased in the Eerste River Community, our Positive Futures Programme in South Africa uses cricket and community work to engage young people in sports and personal development programmes, with a view to offering a positive, valid alternative to drug-use, crime, anti-social behaviour and gangs.

London Active Communities worked with local partners to provide training in youth work, working with young people at risk, conflict resolution, informal education, and monitoring and evaluation. The project now works with 50 high risk young people and a further 100 from the local community, with cricket and social education at the forefront.

In March 2008 London Active Communities secured funding to recruit and train two full-time Community Sports Coaches from a pool of volunteers. They have since completed a work placement in London and started full time work in April 2008.

The British High Commissioner, the Rt Hon Paul Boateng said: “This is yet another excellent example of UK/South African co-operation in the field of sport. I am sure that this project will make a significant difference to lives of the youth in Eerste River”.

“The UK Sport International Development programme has forged a strong working relationship with London Active Communities in delivering a workforce development training programme in South Africa. This training has had a significant impact on the community, coaches and young people in Cape Town, and on the quality of services delivered. We look forward to further developing our work with LAC as part of our international development programme in the future.”Catherine DeanInternational Development Consultant, UK Sport

“London Active Communities is not only important for London, it is important for the whole country. We have to do the training so those in authority will be able to translate and understand what is happening to young people who need help.”Baroness Howells

During 2007–2008 we worked with UK Sport, Western Province Cricket Club, the Exercise and Training Academy and Lifeline to develop a Positive Futures programme in Cape Town, South Africa.

London Active CommunitiesSouthbank Techno Park90 London RoadLondon SE1 6LN

020 7717 [email protected]