This programme identified areas where local young people have fewer opportunities to access positive, developmental pathways to increase their resilience and reduce the risk of involvement in crime.

This will mobilise the community to increase the sense of ownership and stewardship of local facilities using football to engage boys, girls, parents, carers, and local volunteers to utilise and re-invigorate public space and facilities. The project links young people to the broader GameChangers programme which includes pathways to obtaining qualifications in coaching, volunteering in the community and routes into employment.

The GameChangers programme co-ordinates shared methods, collaboration, implements peer learning and allows the sharing of management tools with our partner providers and links into other providers, and particularly those in the local Youth Providers Network. These areas have been selected based on consultation with young people as well as a multi-stakeholder approach including discussions with the police, youth offending, community safety and Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

The project uses football combined with a detached youth work and a youth inclusion methodology to support young people within the identified hotspots into positive pathways.