Kickz - Arsenal.com
Transcription
Kickz - Arsenal.com
Arsenal Kickz Islington Annual Report 2007/08 1st December 2007 to 30th November 2008 1 ‘TAG CLOUDS’ Islington Kickz - at a Glance accreditation ambitious atmosphere launch achievement agency partnership alternative Be Safe Bergkamp workshops bowling boxing breaking barriers building relationships celebration coaching community concern competition certificate contribution confidence coaches congratulation Cruyff Court dance development education esteem Elthorne Park employment engagement expressions fair play fire arms workshop fireworks safety fun growth healthy lifestyles information involvement knife enjoyment experience workshop crime workshop learning lives London Week of Peace nutrition mentor opportunity outreach Pana Tournament partnerships participation pathways photography physically healthy personal development positive contribution progress qualifications regeneration regular residential respect responsibility relationships role models Rosemary Gardens safe places safety self esteem sexual health training skills support talent team building team work trust volunteers young people 2 1. Project information Host football club(s): Arsenal Address: Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, Islington, London Postcode: N5 1BU Key Contact and role: Overview of report: Freddie Hudson, Community Manager This annual report covers the delivery of the Kickz project in the London Borough of Islington from 1st December 2007 to 30th November 2008. The first section provides details of the project, location, partners and aims & objectives along with some information on how Kickz links to various national and local agendas. After a statistical update the report then looks at some case studies relating to the project, various Every Child Matters contributions and young people from the project. In closing the report will briefly explore future plans. Location of project(s): There are two Arsenal Kickz schemes in Islington: * Elthorne Park (N19) began delivery in September 2006 > 4 nights football - 1 night boxing - 1 night dance * Rosemary Gardens (N1) started in March 2008 > 2 nights football - 1 night ‘rolling’ alternative activity Initial project launch date: Project summary: 11 / 09 / 2006 The two schemes in Islington are producing encouraging outcomes across a number of agendas. Along with impressive attendances on both schemes there is also regular engagement with young people that are not in education, employment or training. Activities available are football, boxing, dance, bike building and photography. The regular activities that take place throughout midweek evenings are football sessions with boxing taking place on Friday nights and street dance on Tuesdays. Weekend activities often take place in the form of matches against other projects and trips to the Emirates to watch Arsenal matches. A regular ‘Girls Only’ session is provided. There is a strong focus once trust is established to support young people with some of the issues they face growing up in an inner city area like Islington. Awareness has been raised around weapons, health, gangs, fireworks and other relevant local issues through formal and informal work shops. We have found residential trips to be one useful way of communicating these messages. 3 The project was pleased to be short listed for six out of ten categories in the 2008 National Kickz Awards and delighted to win the 'Inspiring Young People' and 'Outstanding Personal Achievement' awards' at the ceremony at Wembley Stadium. This is an achievement that the partnership can be proud of. Opportunities to access other Arsenal in the Community training courses are made available. The Arsenal Entry 2 Employment course is one example where those that are not in education, employment or training can benefit. A total of three participants have enrolled so far illustrating the projects intention to provide supporting structures for participants. Along with volunteer, training & accreditation opportunities there is a sharp emphasis on providing part time employment for young people coming through these projects. To date a total of five Kickz participants have progressed to part time employment by the project and significantly two of these were not in any form of education, employment or training. Two females are among the five and a sixth has progressed form volunteer status to part time work. Two of the females are heading their own Kickz 'Girls Only' football sessions. We are grateful to our partners Access 2 Sport, who assist with the delivery of some of the football sessions and also provide a range of accredited courses such as FA Level 1's and Gymn Instructors qualifications. Regeneration has been a valuable by-product of the Elthorne Park scheme with Kickz activities and youth engagement acting as a catalyst for facility upgrades and wider developments to the area. The improvements have been essential to the development of the project and importantly to the continued engagement between staff and young people. Recent funding from Islington's Community Safety Partnership Unit means that the Kickz schemes will be included in the Local Area Agreement and provide an important link to Islington's statutory sector. This is a significant step for the projects development and a notable shift for Arsenal in the Community which has adopted a delivery focussed approach since it began in the late 1980's. Arsenal FC has essentially funded the department’s programmes which include a wide range of sport, education & training and social inclusion initiatives. Arsenal in the Community will soon be celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Aims and objectives: Kickz is a national programme which uses the attraction of professional football clubs to target disadvantaged areas. The overall aim of Kickz is to: ‘Create safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young people’s potential’. The programme is currently delivered by 39 professional football clubs’ community teams across the country, working in partnership with local authorities, police forces and a wide range of other agencies. The programme also has strong national multi-agency backing across the football, sport and music industry, along with the Government and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). 4 The national programme objectives are: • To engage young people in a range of constructive activities linking to the Every Child Matters framework • To create routes into education, training and employment • To contribute to the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour in the targeted neighbourhoods • To help break down barriers between the police and young people • To encourage volunteering within projects and throughout the target neighbourhoods • To increase playing, coaching and officiating opportunities for participants Kickz provides year round, concentrated provision, targeting young people aged 10 to 18. The format of projects combines football coaching and competition with ‘flexible’ sessions which can offer alternative activities. The frequency of the programme allows messages beyond football to be conveyed. Flexible/alternative activities, workshops or developmental sessions can cover a range of key issues, from healthy lifestyles, to the dangers of getting involved in drugs or carrying weapons. Supporting a traditional Arsenal in the Community ethos, the Islington Kickz schemes have adopted a young person focussed approach. Pathways from participation to employment are provided with the knowledge that it is local people that are often well placed to contribute to the development of such projects. The benefits that accrue can impact significantly on local communities as well as individuals. Steering group members: Kickz projects are designed to be owned and guided by local steering groups, to ensure that projects are applied in a way which is relevant to local communities. Information can be shared so that joined up solutions and delivery expertise can be implemented. The steering group that oversee the Arsenal Kickz projects in Islington is made up of representatives from: Islington Police Canonbury Safer Neighbourhood Team Hill Rise Safer Neighbourhood Team Islington Leisure Islington Young People's Service Access 2 Sport Islington Young People Drug & Alcohol Service Islington Youth Offending Service Islington Youth Engagement Team Cambridge Education @ Islington Canonbury Youth Project Urban Hope Youth Club Arsenal in the Community Islington Football Partnership Islington Boxing Club Friends of Elthorne Park 5 Having the Police Inspector responsible for youth engagement as steering group Chair provides essential links to a wide range of partners as reflected in this list. The project would like to thank and congratulate the partnership on its success to date and for the hard work and commitment during the past year. National/local agendas: Kickz has the potential to deliver important mutual outcomes and impacts at a national and local level. National Agendas: Kickz is a cross-Government initiative which has a recognised ability to meet a range of policy objectives across departments including the DCMS, DCSF, Home Office and Department of Health. The aims, delivery strategy and operational techniques used by Kickz, fit perfectly with the vision for successful youth provision set out in the Government’s 10 year youth strategy. Along with providing targeted support, Kickz provides a significant contribution to preventing problems occurring rather than simply intervening when they do. Kickz was developed to directly address each of the five outcomes within the Every Child Matters framework to allow young people to: • Be Healthy • Stay Safe • Enjoy and Achieve • Make a Positive Contribution • Achieve Economic Well Being Case studies included later within this report give examples of how this is achieved. There is an obvious focus on contributing to the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour in target areas. Positive trends have been recorded in Islington and across the country in this regard. Importantly this is achieved by investing in young people to take ownership of their projects and by encouraging them to contribute to their own community. Local Agendas: Kickz projects are often engaging hard to reach young people in target areas at key times and a number of locally shared agendas and policy priorities are addressed. Examples include significant contributions to the national indicators and local targets for Local Strategic Partnerships. Including: * The Performance Framework for Local Authorities: with multiple indicators addressed under the Stronger Communities, Safer Communities and Children and Young People headings. * Youth Service Performance Targets: particularly in terms of contact, participation, recorded outcomes, accredited outcomes and number of young people on the path to success. * National Standards for Positive Activities: providing excellent figures in terms of access to 6 sport (2hrs+), personal development and volunteering. * Various objectives of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Social Housing Providers. * Islington Partnership Plan. Kickz supports themes 1 (Serious violence), 2 (Young people), 3 (Youth drug and alcohol misuse) and 5 (Community and anti-social behaviour). * Kickz has received funding from Islington's Local Area Agreement linking the project to outcomes around anti social behaviour, crime and youth violence. More information on national and local agendas addressed by the Arsenal Kickz Programme can be found by downloading the national Kickz report at: www.footballfoundation.org.uk/kickz The Arsenal Kickz in Islington DVD can be viewed by visiting: www.arsenal.com/kickzproject 1.1. Partner Agencies Partner Agencies Partner Financial Contribution Support Police £10,000 Islington police are an essential partner and have been instrumental in the success of the Kickz schemes. Guidance and support is always available form the very top of the Service to the PCSO's and the SNT's. Along with funding there is strategic direction and guidance provided through the steering group Partner Testimony Islington Police are fully supportive of the excellent work the AFC Kickz team have done at both Elthorne Park and Rosemary Gardens Kickz projects. I would like to highlight the tremendous work being done currently in successfully engaging both Hackney and Islington youths at the Rosemary Gardens project. Islington Council £10,000 A range of Islington departments play important roles within Arsenal Kickz. Please see below for further information. Partner Testimony Arsenal in the Community Management and direction of project linking to support from other departments 7 within Arsenal Football Club including Press & Communications, Box Office, Stadium Management, Accounts, IT and Administration. Partner Testimony Arsenal in the Community has a long history of developing social inclusion programmes. We have a real interest in using them to attempt to support young people with the challenges they face. Kickz has provided another opportunity for us to reach more young people and work with other partners to support our efforts. Islington Young People's Drug & Alcohol Service Steering Group members. Sub group members re funding. Access to young peoples drug & alcohol workers. Partner Testimony Arsenal Kickz provides positive activities to young people in the London Borough of Islington. It provides a space to develop their talents with further opportunities for education and training. Islington, Camden and Westminster Drug Action Teams have now provided training to enable staff to give young people involved In Kickz honest and accurate information about substance misuse issues and sources of support. This has been a good starting point and the Islington Young Peoples' Drug and Alcohol Service will be building on these opportunities to engage young people around substance misuse in the coming year. Islington Leisure & Green Space £189,000 Steering group membership. Capital investment for facility upgrades. Operational support re maintenance, parks patrols and access to anti social behaviour statistics form Park Wardens reports. Funding advice through sub group. Links to other partners. Links to other initiatives. Partner Testimony Having 2 Kickz sessions in the smallest borough of London has made a massive influence on the community. To have both projects being run in partnership with a number of partnership workers on new pitches means that structured activity is being run when youth crime and disorder is at its media hyped highest. The Kickz project provides the opportunity for youths from across boroughs to communicate and get on with each other in a structured environment. Having this scheme has also allowed us to apply successfully for a variety of funding to upgrade the facilities. The number of times of Parks Police have been called to both site has been less and interaction that the Parks Police have with the youths is a lot better. Islington Youth Offending Service Steering Group membership. Advice re young people. 8 Referrals. Strategic guidance and links to partners. Partner Testimony The YOS continues to support the Kickz programme and encourages all YP that are being supported by the prevention team to access the very positive activities within the borough that the Kickz programme offers. We look forward to building on this in 2009 Cambridge Education @ Islington Steering Group membership. Links to schools and education networks. Partner Testimony Having such a successful project based at Mount Carmel Technology College for a temporary period was proof that schools and community projects can work together to benefit young people outside of curriculum time. Cambridge Education at Islington are pleased to be associated with this excellent project and will do all it can to support the project in the future Access 2 Sport Delivery partner. Access to training and accredited qualifications. Access to tournaments. Advice and support through a number of different partnerships. Partner Testimony The Kickz project has had a great impact in Islington in the area in which it operates, offering young people important opportunities to participate in new sporting activities but also to develop new skills and abilities sporting and non – sporting. For instance the project has helped many young people to gain qualifications as sports coaches. We have also seen new participants in tournaments such as the Islington Community Cup held during the holiday periods as a result of the Kickz Programme activities. Islington Boxing Club Steering group members. Delivery partners. Access to facilities. Partner Testimony Arsenal Kickz has been fantastic for Islington Boxing Club. It has linked us to a wide range of partners and the Council. Friends of Elthorne Park Advice on local area and partnerships. Partner Testimony The new astroturf pitch and Kickz coaching courses at Elthorne Park have made an absolutely enormous difference to the community and park. The pitch is used by local boys of all ages the whole time and as a result the park is a friendlier and better place to be. Canonbury Youth Project Steering group members. Delivery partners. Detached 9 youth work support. Advice regarding young people and local area. Partner Testimony The kickz project has supported young people from Islington and Hackney, who in the past have been at loggerheads with each other participate in training and football matches together. The project has helped break down barriers and provided a platform to discuss football skills, teams etc rather than who comes from what postcode. In the past the park was used as neutral ground for local gangs to meet up and fight it out – with the improvements and regular activities taking place in the park it is no longer a dead end place! Urban Hope Youth Project Steering group members. Delivery partners. Detached youth work support. Advice regarding young people and local area. Partner Testimony Islington Primary Care Trust Anti smoking training for delivery staff Partner Testimony It is hoped that if an opportunity arises where a young person needs advice about smoking staff will be prepared to help. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership to ensure the health of the young people in Islington. Choice FM Delivery partner - Peace on the Streets initiative. Partner Testimony The Peace on the Streets event at the Emirates was a great success. It interacted with young people who could be deemed 'hard to reach'. More events of this nature are needed. Metropolitan Police Authority/Islington Community Safety Board Strategic advice. Partnership links. Promotional support. Partner Testimony Springboard Islington Trust Long standing partner of Arsenal in the Community. Arsenal Entry 2 Employment partner. Partner Testimony We are delighted to support the very important work that Arsenal does as part of its Kickz programme which is making a real impact in diverting young Islington people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. Islington Safeguarding Children Board Guidance and advice regarding safeguarding young 10 people. The link also ensures that the project is closely aligned to the Every Child Matters agenda both locally and nationally. Partner Testimony Arsenal Kickz is a key member of the Islington Safeguarding Children Board Sports Safeguarding Network. They have been instrumental in developing Islington's Safeguarding / Child Protection Policies and Procedures for Sports Clubs. Islington Children's Services Linked to a range of agencies under Children's Services. Strategic advice. Operational support. Training opportunities. Training opportunities re Integrated Working/Common Assessment Framework. Child protection/safeguarding. Access to detached youth work provision. Partner Testimony By sending their staff on training and working towards the Integrated Working Programme, Arsenal Kickz will be playing a key role together with other children's services in Islington to identify children who are at risk of not meeting the Every Child Matters outcomes and help implement early intervention strategies to support children, young people and their families in reaching their potential. Football Foundation Funding. Strategic support. Training/staff development. Steering group members. Partner Testimony Arsenal's Islington projects are a shining example of what the Kickz programme should be about. The club and their partners targeted particularly challenging areas and have been successful in engaging and inspiring large numbers of young people, who may otherwise be difficult to reach. A number of Government agendas are being addressed by the project, ranging from the Home Office drive to curb crime and ASB among young people, to the Department for Work and Pensions focus on ensuring young people are ready for employment. The Islington Kickz projects are firmly addressing all five of the Every Child Matters outcomes, and the staff involved should take great credit for their drive and determination in achieving these results. The club were worthy winners of two accolades at the national Kickz Awards. Islington Football Partnership Steering Group members. Advice & guidance re football development. 11 Partner Testimony The Elthorne launch of the Cruyff pitch highlighted how pitch improvements coupled with quality targeted programmes such as Kickz, can really make an impact, even in the toughest areas. 1.2. Project statistics 1. Attendance and Delivery A. Attendance A1 Number of Young People in contact during reporting period 226 100% A2 Number of Young People registered since Kickz began 326 N/A 5860 N/A A4 Aggregate contact hours at Sessions 10534:30 N/A A5 Average Contact Hours (per Young Person) 46:36:46 N/A 652:30 N/A A3 Aggregate attendance at Sessions A6 Number of session hours delivered in reporting period 2. Demographics B. Demographic - Gender Male Female C. Demographic - Age Not specified 168 74.34% 58 25.66% 100 44.25% 13 and 14 48 21.24% 11 and 12 36 15.93% 15 and 16 20 8.85% 17 and 18 15 6.64% 4 1.77% 3 1.33% Older than 18 Younger than 11 D. Demographic - Ethnicity Not Specified 85 37.61% white 55 24.34% black 45 19.91% mixed black 24 10.62% 12 mixed race 7 3.10% Turkish 3 1.33% asian 3 1.33% Mixed Asian 2 0.88% other 1 0.44% North African 1 0.44% 3. Impact E. Impact - Outcomes E1 Preset Outcome Attended anti-crime/safety workshop(s) 60 Enrolled as volunteer 5 Left the area 3 Gained employment 3 Gained employment/work experience with host football club 2 No longer attending 2 E2 Other Outcomes F. Impact - Qualifications FA LEVEL 1 2 Gym Level 1 3 First Aid 1 Child Protection 1 Volunteer Statistics 1. Headline Numbers A Number of Volunteers in contact during reporting period 30 B Total number of short term Volunteers 21 70.00% C Total number of part time Volunteers 9 30.00% D Aggregate number of volunteering opportunities 150 100% 100% 2. Short Term Volunteering A. Aggregate number of short term 'new' volunteering opportunities listed for each volunteering type Assisting the club Coaching staff e.g. warm ups, basic drills, low level coaching. 20 Refereeing / officiating at sessions 18 13 Assist in involved setting up of sessions e.g. portable pitches / lighting etc 12 Mentoring role for other young people 4 Organising / Managing teams (e.g. for sessions, competitions/ tournaments) 2 Other 2 Distributing session promotional material e.g. Flyers 1 Administration at office 1 B. Aggregate number of short term 'ongoing' volunteering opportunities listed for each volunteering type Refereeing / officiating at sessions 6 Assisting the club Coaching staff e.g. warm ups, basic drills, low level coaching. 6 Mentoring role for other young people 2 Assist in involved setting up of sessions e.g. portable pitches / lighting etc 2 3. Part time Volunteering A. Aggregate number of part time 'new' volunteering opportunities listed for each volunteering type Assisting the club Coaching staff e.g. warm ups, basic drills, low level coaching. 25 Refereeing / officiating at sessions 15 Assist in involved setting up of sessions e.g. portable pitches / lighting etc 14 Mentoring role for other young people 6 Organising / Managing teams (e.g. for sessions, competitions/ tournaments) 5 Administration at office 2 Other 2 Refereeing / officiating at events / tournaments 2 Administration at session 2 Leading Sessions 1 14 2.0. Project Overview Project Agency Case Studies ISLINGTON KICKZ HAS COME A LONG WAY IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME October 2006 may seem a long time ago but for social inclusion programmes it’s no time at all. Building trusting relationships with young people is a complex and time consuming process where progress is measured in short steps. Reflecting on the developments of the Kickz programme in Islington and its achievements is a rewarding exercise. REGENERATION The Arsenal Kickz project at Elthorne Park has been the catalyst for facility regeneration within the park. FROM THIS TO THIS 15 ENGAGEMENT & LISTENING TO YOUNG PEOPLE We are keen to hear the views of young people on the programme and use a variety of ways to hear their voices. When they do step forward to give their opinion it’s important that we listen to them. One young person put a bottle of beer on our feedback questionnaires as we were taking this picture. It provided an opportunity to talk about boundaries at the sessions and address one of the issues that young people face. "The group thought it was a laugh but I saw it as a chance to talk about what was acceptable at the sessions and speak to them about alcohol." Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz It has taken a long time to reach the point where participants feel comfortable to talk to us about issues and we are proud of the relationships that our staff are developing with them. We are pleased with the way the Rosemary Gardens Kickz project has settled. The area has had its fair share of problems in the past. Along with good attendances we are also enjoying committed support from local partners such as the Safer Neighbourhood Team, The Canonbury Project and Urban Hope Youth Club. We sense that there is a real appreciation of the project from young people and partners. "It‟s great to see young people from Marquess, Packington and Hackney now playing football together and developing positive relations with groups and individuals from other areas." Roger Elderton, Detached Youth Worker, Islington 16 ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY AT ROSEMARY GARDENS RECOGNITION The National Kickz Awards held at Wembley Stadium provided recognition for the Islington scheme and a chance for the partnership to celebrate its achievements. Arsenal were short listed in six out of the ten categories and won two of these. SHORT LISTED FOR THE FOLLOWING AWARDS – Volunteer, Outstanding Partner Support, Inspiring Young People, Outstanding Personal Achievement, Team Achievement and Club Achievement. WINNERS: Jamie Monteith – „Inspiring Young People Award‟ and Keelie Fage - Outstanding Personal Achievement Often the success of projects like Kickz can be attributed to committed individuals and this is certainly the case with Jamie who has thrown himself into the role as project lead, taking full interest and responsibility for young people on the programme and their development. Islington born Jamie understands the challenges faced by young people growing up in the area. This knowledge coupled with a genuine concern for participants well being makes him an ideal role model. 17 JAMIE – RECEIVING ‘INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE’ AWARD AT WEMBLEY Keelie Fage – „Outstanding Personal Achievement‟ - Keelie has made massive steps in her personal life. She has moved away from her family and into her own flat in Islington living independently. After being a participant and volunteering on the project she now leads sessions and has gained the trust of the young people she works with. They look up to Keelie and some see themselves in her and what they can aspire to be. Keelie is now a part time member of staff passing on what she has learnt. We have a genuine role model that has come through the project and we are proud of her achievements. 2.1. Scheme Overview Overview Case Studies COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS Rosemary Gardens is situated on the edge of Islington close to its border with Hackney. Traditionally the area has been notorious with a long history of disputes between groups from Marquis and Packington estates in Islington and Hoxton and Holly Street estates in Hackney dating back to the 1990’s. In recent years relations have improved immensely with both boroughs investing heavily in the fabric of the respective housing estates. Roger Elderton has been a youth worker in this area for 20 years and clearly remembers the days gone by when there were serious issues between groups of youths from both boroughs. 18 Roger explains things from his perspective. "I've been a detached youth worker in Islington for the past 20 years, working on the estates and side streets along the Essex Rd (Canonbury and St Peters Wards). During this time there have been many serious incidents of youth disturbance and fighting between young people from Hackney and the south side of Islington.” “Some of these conflicts were battles between Packington, Murry Grove and Hoxton were going on before I worked in the area.” “The football at Rosemary Gardens has brought together groups that traditionally have been in conflict with each other." The Kickz project at Rosemary Gardens began in earnest in March 2008. Arsenal in the Community directed the Spaces for Sports funding provided by Premier League sponsors Barclays, towards the old cinder pitch in the middle of the park. Islington provided additional funding on top of the £600,000 from Barclays to make wider improvements. The result is a fantastic new sports facility in the heart of a deprived community. The police were happy with the suggestion for a Kickz project at Rosemary Gardens in light of the success of the Elthorne Park project. Anti social behaviour and youth crime statistics were of concern in the area and young people often complained of nothing to do. A SAFE PLACE FOR LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE 19 Young people from both Hackney and Islington come together in large numbers every Monday and Friday evening at Rosemary Gardens to take part in Kickz activities. Post codes and territorial differences have not been an issue and both groups mix with each other through football. There have been some issues on the sessions but these have usually stemmed from over enthusiasm within matches. Staff have noted that when things have become a little heated it is the older members of the group that have been the calming influence. AT THE ROSEMARY GARDENS SESSION “A fight broke out on the edge of the park while our session was going on. It was nothing to do with the Kickz group and our young people were not involved but the staff rushed to see if they could calm things down. We returned to find someone had run off with all the balls and equipment but the older ones took responsibility and told us to wait here. They returned twenty minutes later with all the balls having fished some out of the canal. I think they have respect for us and value the project. They know we are going to be there rain or shine and if we say we are going to do something for them we won‟t let them down. Consistency is what it‟s about.” Matt Roberts Rosemary Gardens Kickz "Kickz has supported young people from Islington and Hackney, who in the past have been at loggerheads with each other, they now take part in training and football matches together." Denise Melton, The Canonbury Project 20 Local issues often require the knowledge and expertise of local people. Denise manages a local youth project and her staff help with the Kickz programme. "The Canonbury Project youth workers have been supporting the sessions and have been engaging with those not taking part in football. Some participated in a sailing residential in the summer and others recently participated in the Scootalive Saferiding project. There are others signed up to take part in a build a bike project due to start November." Denise Melton, The Canonbury Project “One time things got a bit silly in the older group and a fight started after a bad tackle. The other players broke it up themselves but it was really tense for a while with young people on their mobiles calling their mates and telling them to get down here. I was a bit worried at first because one was from Hackney and the other from Islington but again they sorted it out themselves. They get on well together and play in the same side for matches.” Matt Roberts, Arsenal Kickz 3.0. Project development (Every Child Matters) Stay Safe SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE With the personal safety of young people high on the agenda at the moment we have been looking closely at a range of issues that are of concern to the groups we are working with. CO19 ENGAGING A KICKZ GROUP 21 Members of the police specialist fire arms unit CO19 visited the Emirates Stadium to provide education about the dangers of guns and fire arms. Young people attended the work shop organised by the Islington Safer Neighbourhood Team linked to the Rosemary Gardens project. POWER POINT PRESENTATION Part of the workshop included debate and discussions around the issues associated with gun crime. Young people had an opportunity to express their views around these issues with a particular focus on the consequences of carrying and using such lethal weapons. Discussions also included the impact on friends and families of those caught up in and affected by gun and knife crime. 22 IMPORTANT MESSAGES Staff and partners were aware of the sensitivities around delivering such a work shop and were keen not to glamorise the issue in anyway. “Guns are often glamorised through TV, music and computer games. The experts from the police were very good at demonstrating just how dangerous they are. Everyone left the session having a better understanding of the consequences. There were some mature views expressed by young people during the discussions.” Arsenal Kickz Worker 23 POSITIVE INTERACTION BETWEEN POLICE AND YOUNG PEOPLE “The workshop was an interesting, interactive event which issued a timely reminder to the young people about the dangers of getting involved in gun crime. Arsenal Football Club and officers from CO19 Firearms Unit delivered a powerful message to the young people about the physical and legal consequences of carrying a gun and managed to deglamourise popular images of firearms conveyed in films and video games”. Sgt. Paul Colwill, Central Police Kickz Team The police and young people also had an opportunity to positively engage with each other during the day when they attended a tour of the Emirates Stadium visiting dressing rooms, pitch side, director’s box and behind the scenes of Arsenal’s home ground. 24 LONDON WEEK OF PEACE - BE SAFE WORK SHOPS Other areas of concern have focussed specifically on knife crime. The Home Office Be Safe work shop has taken place at both Islington projects with the Elthorne session particularly targeting female members of the project. The approach was more relaxed than the C019 work shop. This has been informed by past experience. We’ve found young people have resisted the structure of formal work shops. We were able to reach more young people with these messages and significantly many of those that we are concerned most about by having work shops at the pitch side during normal Kickz sessions. 25 ADDRESSING THE CONSEQUENCES “It was a good idea for us to see the actions that will be taken if we carry knifes or guns around on the street. I don‟t know if it will stop people from carrying but I think it will make them think twice before doing anything stupid, it‟s a good thing." Kickz Participant THE DANGERS OF FIREWORKS The build up to Halloween and November 5th is traditionally a challenging time. Towards the end of September staff began to report incidents of young people, often known to the project, engaging in dangerous behaviour with fireworks, putting themselves and others at risk. “I play with fireworks and I have never been hurt, when I saw the pictures of that boy I was shocked that what I was doing could make me look like that. I also know that you can be arrested if you are caught with fireworks, I think I will leave it to people who are in control to do the fireworks thing” Kickz Participant 26 RAISING AWARENESS FROM THE EXPERTS Kickz linked up with the police, Anti Social Behaviour Team, Fire Brigade and Trading Standards in an attempt to address the problem. In an attempt to raise awareness of the dangers we used the same approach as the Be Safe sessions during normal session times. Officers from the London Fire Brigade were able to get the right messages across highlighting the dangers of fireworks in surroundings that were familiar to the group and where they felt relaxed, comfortable and safe. Enjoy and Achieve ENGAGING THOSE CONSIDERED TO BE HARD TO REACH Female participation has increased and we are always looking to widen the offer of activities to young people. In keeping with Arsenal’s tradition of successfully engaging young female members of the community through football, Arsenal Kickz is enjoying its fair share of development in this area with a credible 26% of participants being female. "We have learnt from our mistakes with the girl‟s sessions. At first they mixed with the boys which didn't really work. So then we held a girl‟s only session directly before the boys one but we found the girls were a bit inhibited. Now we have the girls‟ sessions at Sobell and Mount Carmel School and what‟s more they are staffed by females that used to be participants themselves. Now the sessions are flying." Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz 27 ENGAGING FEMALES Two female participants are particularly benefitting from the link as they have gained qualifications and moved onto part time employment by the programme. There is also a female volunteer that has made the step to part time employment. All three are proving very important to the development of the girl’s only sessions. Beckie and Keelie appreciate the project. Starting as participants themselves they have seen the benefits of Kickz first hand and didn’t take much persuading to begin volunteering. Progress was then quickly made and in Beckie’s case she now delivers her own Arsenal Kickz girls only football sessions. “I always look out for participants that might be able to take the next step. It‟s very much about giving the right people responsibility when they are ready. They can go away and feel like they have ownership for their work but its not always that simple, close support is needed and if you get this balance right then it‟s amazing what can be achieved.” Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz 28 KICKZ GIRLS IN A DANCE SESSION JOY HALL - VOLUNTEER TO EMPLOYMENT 29 PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT Providing creative ways to maintain engagement with young people is important and can be a good way of building self esteem and confidence. When hard to reach groups and individuals are concerned it is vital to explore what interests them. STIMULATING INTEREST AND CONTINUING ENGAGEMENT The project has learnt the importance of keeping young people positively engaged and attempts to do this through a range of initiatives. At Elthorne Park we have worked very hard to maintain the trust and good relations with a group of older young people that were initially very suspicious of our presence. Asking them what they want to do has not always produced the right outcomes. In our latest attempt to stimulate the interest of this particular group we have called upon the expertise of a professional photographer, Sal Idriss. Sal has his own particular reasons for wanting to involve young people in positive activities. A mentor himself he also has experienced the tragedy of losing his younger brother to knife crime. This piece of work centred on the idea of young people photographing their lives, neighbourhoods and the things that were important to them. It included a visit to both the Photographers Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, followed by afternoon in a dark room where they developed their photographs. DARK ROOM - DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHS Learning new skills has stimulated the interest of a group of young people that felt nobody was interested in them. 30 "This project opened my eyes to the creative side of the group." Ryan Jones, Arsenal Kickz The results are an impressive archive of photographs that tell the story of a group of young people in a way that they wanted to express themselves. This is what Sal had to say about the project: “On December 27th 2007 in Islington, my younger brother became the 27th young person to fall victim to knife and gun crime in London. This devastating personal experience has heightened my awareness more than ever before of the countless other families throughout London who, like my own, have witnessed the unfortunate loss of a loved one to senseless violence and criminality. I was put in touch with Freddie Hudson from Arsenal in the Community. When we first spoke I was looking to work with some young people and to get them involved with my current photographic project entitled „Famous for the Wrong Reason.‟ As a Photographer and a Mentor with previous experience working with young people, Freddie suggested that we work together. We started a photographic workshop with the intention of creating a portfolio of images based on the every day lives of young people on the programme and an exhibition to be realised at a later stage. They were also given a „Point and Shoot‟ camera to record the journey. I wanted to show these young men that nothing is out of their reach if they really want to achieve something in life. I organised, as part of the workshop, a tour to the National Portrait Gallery. I was really surprised to discover that these young men never travelled to this area before, it was in fact their first trip to this part of the city, outside their estate. Next step on my workshop was to actually show how to use a single-lens Reflex camera (SLR) with traditional 35mm films. The young men took portraits of each other and they also used another camera to document their daily life. A week into the project we met up again to get into the next stage of processing and printing the films inside the darkroom. This was one of the most exciting moments of the whole workshop because the students were able to print their own images and to see the result of their work.” Sal Idris 31 FINAL TOUCHES BEFORE COMPLETION "I never thought I'd see this but one of our group was reading a plaque in the gallery." Ryan Jones, Arsenal Kickz FINISHED WORK “Successfully engaging young people that are considered to be hard to reach is not easy. First there is ground work to build up trust and then it takes a long time to get to know what makes them tick. This initiative is a great outcome for Kickz, apart from some great photography there is a very important journey that this group has travelled. They have learnt about themselves and found new experiences in the process." Jamie Monteith, Arsenal Kickz 32 Make a Positive Contribution COMMUNITY BENEFITS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS Along with the benefits to young people attending the Kickz programmes we are also proud of the wider contributions that Arsenal Kickz has made through the many partnerships that have developed. There are a wide range of agencies from the statutory and voluntary sector involved in the Islington Kickz schemes. Delivery partners Access 2 Sport, Elthorne Youth Club, Urban Hope Youth Club and the Canonbury Project provide essential help operationally. The Safer Neighbourhood Teams at each area have embraced the projects providing a range of support. At a strategic level the police are giving Arsenal Kickz their full backing from the very top of the Service in Islington. EDUARDO, PARTICIPANT AND POLICE - AT THE LONDON WEEK OF PEACE Islington Council show their commitment through a number of departments including Community Safety, Greenspace, Leisure, Young People's Drug & Alcohol Service, Anti Social Behaviour Team, Youth Offending Service, Children’s Services and Cambridge Education @ Islington. Nationally the central Kickz teams at the Football Foundation and Met Police provide strategic direction for the project and the Monitoring & Evaluation team at Substance are always on hand to provide their expertise and wealth of experience within this area of work. 33 The regeneration of Elthorne Park is a good example of how partnerships can pull together and transform a local area both physically and in terms of community cohesion. Below is a time line showing key points in the projects development at Elthorne Park. TIMELINE 34 FACILITY LAUNCH "Elthorne Park is a place transformed." John Sutherland, Supt Islington Police "What's interested me as the local Councillor, is the broader benefit and what that's done for the larger community" Councillor Greg Fox Smith 35 DENNIS BERGKAMP GIVING ADVICE TO KICKZ PARTICIPANTS Achieve Economic Wellbeing A GENUINE FOCUS ON ACCREDITATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE There are currently five young people that are employed part time on the Kickz project who have made the transition from participants to Arsenal Kickz staff, in which three of these were not in education or employment. There is a sixth that began as a volunteer. A number of Government agendas are being addressed by the Islington project, ranging from the Home Office drive to curb crime and ASB among young people, to the Department for Work and Pensions focus on ensuring young people are ready for employment. The Islington Kickz projects are firmly addressing all five of the Every Child Matters outcomes, and the staff involved should take great credit for their drive and determination in achieving these results. Andy Parrott, Senior Kickz Project Manager, Football Foundation. 36 YOUNG PEOPLE GROWING WITH THE PROJECT After highlighting suitable candidates staff invest time and energy into individuals who show an interest in volunteering, accreditation and being employed by the Arsenal Kickz programme. The Islington Kickz 06/07 report featured a section on the benefits of employing local young people on the programme. They understand the issues that young people face and in some cases are able to make ideal role models. “It‟s weird to do what you use to do with us at Elthorne park every night, now I can see why it‟s important to have positive role models and people to look up to I hope I can be a positive influence in young people‟s lives as you have been on mine.” Aaron, Participant to Kickz Worker “ When I started working it was just a job but now I can see that it‟s so important to give young people a opportunity to grow and express themselves in different ways and I hope I am someone who can be approachable and help when and if I can in any way I can.” Keelie, Participant to Kickz Worker “Its weird young people looking at you as a role model, I remember when you use to take us training and you would always pick up if we swore. I use to think he never swears how can he do it but I have now found myself telling all the younger girls to watch their language its funny I thought you were crazy when you told us that but I can now see why you did.” Becky, Participant to Kickz Worker Apart from the community contribution these young people have made it has also provided them with a real sense of responsibility, achievement, confidence and self esteem along with a sense of pride in their community. 37 "The Kickz projects in Islington has achieved notable success in encouraging young people (many of whom are not in education, training or employment), to give back to their communities through volunteering. With training and mentoring this has in turn made these young people more employable. Some have gone onto gain direct employment with the clubs social inclusion schemes and others have been signposted to external opportunities." Andy Parrott, Senior Kickz Project Manager, Football Foundation Joy began as a volunteer on the Kickz project but very quickly moved onto part time employment and has developed into an important member of the Kickz delivery team. "Kickz provided a means for me to really give back to my local area, especially the young girls. I really enjoy being involved with the girls Kickz sessions and have seen the project as well as the participants grow in the time the sessions have been going. Getting more girls involved in football can be difficult but Kickz provides these girls with an opportunity to get involved." Joy Hall, Arsenal Kickz There are enormous benefits to this approach from many angles but it’s the link to the Government’s Every Child Matters agenda that is significant if we are to sustain the provision in the long term. Contributions to all five strands are being made, some more readily than others. It can be argued that the ‘Being Healthy’ and ‘Enjoy and Achieve’ contributions come naturally through activities. An example of our contribution to the ‘Staying Safe’ agenda is addressed in the ‘Supporting Young People’ case study and this case study reflects how we are attempting to contribute to the ‘Economic Well Being’ agenda. “There is something that seems right about using the funding we receive to engage, train and employ local young people on the Kickz programme, especially in the current economic climate.” Freddie Hudson, Arsenal in the Community 38 GIVING SOMETHING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Aaron’s story can be found in the young person’s case study that follows. It highlights the steps we are making towards improving the opportunities for young people from the programme. As one of the first participants on the Elthorne Park Kickz project Aaron enjoyed the football activities. He was part of an older group that were suspicious of the project and staff but he soon began to trust staff members Jamie and Ryan. 4.0. Young people's stories AARON MARAGH - THE PROJECT IS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Aaron began with Kickz as a participant and is now employed part time on the project. One of the aims form the national Kickz team is to help young people reach their potential. Arsenal Kickz believes that it is well placed to make valuable contributions to the development of young people and once in a while the efforts pay off. In our last report we featured Ryan Jones who is now a key member of our Kickz part time staff and an important role model for others from the area. Aaron Maragh is our focus in this report and a good example of just how a young person can benefit form such projects and crucially form the relationships built with staff. 39 Kickz lead at our Elthorne Park project, Jamie Monteith interviewed Aaron to find out just what the project has meant to him. How did you find out about the Kickz project? “I found out the project was going on through my friends saying arsenal were coaching football to the younger kids.” What were your first impressions of the project? “It was just like the rest of the guys that came around I didn‟t think that we would see you guys in 6 months time.” And what are your impressions now? “When you first came around we (B Block crew) thought that you guys were with the police and all you wanted from us was details so you could pass them on and grass us up. But now I can see past all that and I understand that all you lot want to do is help us better ourselves and get us jobs and on courses that will allow us to get jobs.” Before the project what would you do during the times between 6-9pm? “I would plot around the park at night with my pals and drink and smoke and have jokes, we did this every night and I would not get home until around 3-4 in the morning. I just stayed in the park. I didn‟t like school very much I got into the wrong crowd and bunked off a lot” How many times would you say you would have attended the Kickz sessions per week? “I attended every night apart from Tuesdays and Fridays we (olders) wanted the sessions to run every night even on weekends.” What would you say the Kickz project has given you? “When I went to school I didn‟t get on with the teachers. I don‟t think they understood me and when I started the project at Elthorne I thought the same but then I could see you could talk to you on a level and you wouldn‟t judge me or try to make me do something that I did not want to do. Now I have my FA Level 1 and I am enrolled on a Chart Stage course and I am looking to do my FA Level 2 and a Youth Work course soon.” How did you find the FA Level 1? “When you said it was over in hackney at the B6 Centre I was worried because I had never been in that area before, but you said that you would take us and that made me feel a bit better. When we arrived we got given a massive book and was told we had to fill this up I was ready to walk out with the rest of the guys but then I could see that you had given up a lot to get us here so we stayed. It was hard but I completed it and am now a qualified coach and want to do my Level 2. 40 So now you are working part time with us how did that happen? “At first I‟m not going to lie we thought you only cared about the younger lot because these guys went on trips had football games and we got nothing but we got to know you guys and we could see that you were not police but coaches. Then we saw Ryan get a part time job and we asked how he did it and you said you first have to pass your FA Level 1 and then you can start volunteering and then from that you can look in to what you could do for us. So I got my Level 1 with the help of you and Ryan and volunteered for 4 months and because of my hard work I was given the opportunity to work part time.” You travel all around London working with the Kicks project how does that make you feel? “When I was younger I thought that you could never go into different areas because you could get in a fight and sometimes stabbed. When we played teams from different areas I was sometimes on edge because I thought something might happen and I might have to defend myself but as time went on the people I was scared of are now my friends. I‟ve seen that if you go with the wrong attitude into situations you will get in trouble but if you respect other people then you will be fine. Now I feel I can travel all over and not fear anything because of my attitude.”“I can understand why kids carry knives around because of fear and they want to defend themselves and I use to be the same but now I can see what damage it can do and if I saw any of my younger with a knife I would gat him to think of what could happen if he used it and ask him to get rid of it” How do you feel now you are working? “I feel more confident with myself and what I want from life where before I didn‟t know what to do. I wanted to help my mum out so I did some things that I am not happy with but you have to do it, that put massive pressure on me and I didn‟t feel comfortable with it but now I can help my mum out and help myself out with rent and new trainers and tops.” Do you think you have changed as person since being involved with Kickz? “Before I was anti work and was happy to sit around and didn‟t even think about work. Now I can see that I can achieve things that before I thought I could never do. I can make people around me proud of what I am doing with my life and shut the people up who said I would not do anything with my life and that‟s down to you and Kickz.” What do you think you would be doing now if you weren’t doing Kickz? “I would be in the park and around the ends with my friends smoking drinking and thinking of how to make money.” 41 What do you think of the changes in the park? “Before we had fights with the alcoholics in the park but now you never see them because of all the activity in the football area. We used to go down Whittington Park to play football on the pitch and get into fights with people because we couldn‟t get on the pitch but now we have our own pitch and we can play anytime whenever we want.” So what are your plans for the future? “I want to complete my FA Level 2 and get my qualifications in youth work and show the younger guys that you don‟t have to hustle to earn your money. Show them if you listen and put your mind to it you can achieve great things and to look at me as an example and to tell them if I can do it then why can‟t they.” AARON WORKING ON THE ROSEMARY GARDENS PROJECT 42 5.0. Development and Future Plans Activities/schemes of work The foundation that provides engagement at both venues is the football schemes. Two nights each week at Rosemary Gardens and four nights at Elthorne Park enable staff to get to know young people and grow trusting relationships. The Elthorne project also offers regular boxing, dance and girls only sessions along with opportunities to participate in other activities such as residential trips, bowling, photography, and cinema visits. We have adopted a 'taster' approach to the alternative activities at Rosemary Gardens with bike building work shops which will be followed by basket ball, dance and boxing sessions. Other activities have included formal and informal work shops around personal safety, guns, knives and fireworks. The project is aware of the need to offer a variety of activities to maintain interest and this approach also provides an opportunity for staff and young people to get to know each other. We have found that residential trips provide an ideal environment to raise awareness and constructively engage young people in conversations about such issues. Staffing The projects are overseen by a senior member of Arsenal's Community Team with operational and delivery responsibility shared by a number of full and part time staff. A new member of staff has recently been appointed as Kickz Co-ordinator with responsibility for Arsenal Kickz projects across Islington, Camden and Westminster. Arsenal in the Community is proud of the approach it has adopted to staffing with a rich history of developing and investing in young people who have graduated from a range of training and education programmes managed by the department. The Kickz schemes in Islington currently employ one full time member of staff who was a participant in an Arsenal in the Community scheme form the age of ten. There are five part time staff, some of which work up to fifteen hours each week, who have come directly from the Kickz projects. A sixth has made the step from volunteer to part time employee. This commitment to young people has obvious personal benefits to individuals, looking beyond these there are also significant advantages to the project and local community. Young people from the area have good knowledge of local issues, a valuable understanding of other young people and tend to have a genuine commitment to the work. Of interest to the project are the positive role models that these young people can become which often lift the aspirations of peers and other participants. 43 Accommodation/facilities Elthorne Park and Rosemary Gardens have both benefitted from facility upgrades through capital investment from Arsenal in the Community. Initial funding from Dennis Bergkamp (Elthorne Park) and the Premier League (Rosemary Gardens) attracted additional investment from Islington Council to regenerate respective facilities. Both schemes now enjoy continued engagement without interruptions due to poor weather which was an issue for the Elthorne project during winter months. As regular contact with young people is an important element to Arsenal Kickz this has been an essential development for the project. Other facilities used by the Elthorne Park project include Elthorne Youth Club for dance sessions, Shuttleworth College in Bedfordshire for residential courses, Islington Boxing Club, Sobell Leisure Centre and Mount Carmel School for the girls only football sessions, Whittington Park for matches and tournaments, Caxton House Community Centre and a range of attractions such as local cinemas and bowling centres. Rosemary Gardens also rely on the use of other facilities such as Urban Hope Youth Club for bike building work shops. Both projects utilise the Emirates Stadium for tours, work shops and Arsenal matches. Office space and resources are provided at Arsenal's facilities in Drayton Park which also accommodates the steering group and related project meetings. Partnerships One very pleasing aspect of this area of work has been the way the project has attracted and galvanised relationships with a wide range of partners from both the statutory and voluntary sector. This type of project relies heavily on the expertise of a wide range of partners who all make significant contributions. With the central Kickz teams at the Football Foundation and Metropolitan Police advising from a strategic level and the impressive commitment that is enjoyed locally from the statutory and voluntary sector, the project is well supported. Strategically and operationally it is great to have the support of our partners and now that has been established there is a need to focus on how we all share information about young people in order to maximise the support we are able to offer. We know that there are participants who have self referred to the project who are known to various agencies. We are now looking at ways to share information with our partners (within appropriate data sharing protocols) in order to offer the best possible support for young people. One development has been the new Area Children and Young People's Partnership which may help and we are also looking to meet with partners to discuss how best we can all support individuals on the programme. 44 Communication and promotion Information about activities is communicated to young people by leaflets, flyers and word of mouth. Although attendances are good the project recognises that it needs to do more to make information available to agencies so that they can take advantage of the provision. Leaflets are designed by Ryan Jones who has stepped up from a participant to part time employment with the project. Having supported the work of Arsenal in the Community for over two decades the Club's communications team understand the nature of this type of work and provide essential support for Arsenal Kickz projects. The M&E team at Substance are always on hand to advise regarding related issues and with their expertise within the field of social inclusion, are very well placed to offer advice from experienced staff. The Substance Project Reporting System has been the main reason that Arsenal in the Community has been able to communicate this type of work and demonstrate the outcomes it has achieved. The regional meetings organised by the central Kickz and police teams provide valuable opportunities where projects can come together and find out about strategic developments and share local best practice. This support is coupled with the regular contact that the project enjoys from both partners and enables Arsenal Kickz to move forward with confidence. Sustainability and funding Since September 2006 Kickz projects in Islington have received £107,500 funding via the Football Foundation. To encourage long-term sustainability and balance national and local buy in, the Football Foundation now require at least 50% match funding from local sources for projects to continue. From September 2008, Arsenal in the community has secured and committed £83,000 of funding via the Football Foundation to contribute to delivery of Kickz until September 2010. Islington Police and Islington's Community Safety Partnership Unit have contributed £10,000 each of match funding which has secured both projects until March 2009. From this point, further funding is required to match those funds already secured. The Islington Kickz projects are therefore looking to secure an additional £62,250 to allow the current level of provision to continue from April 2009 until September 2010. To fit into traditional tax years, £41,500 is required from April 2009/10, with a remaining £20,750 from April 2010/11. This funding will be matched pound-for-pound by funding committed via the Football Foundation. 45 Other comments Arsenal in the Community is delighted that both Kickz projects in Islington have started so well. Our experience has taught us to adopt a long term view to developing projects like these, particularly when building relationships with young people and project partners who have all played their part in growing the initiative. Arsenal in the Community has relied heavily on their expertise at all levels. There is a genuine attempt to take a step away form the activities provided by Arsenal Kickz and look at the needs of young people on the programme. Engagement in activities is the first step and once trust has been established the project can really get into the nitty gritty of offering support. This can be from all sorts of angles but essentially once a young person feels someone is taking an interest in them they do tend to respond. Having the right staff who are able to offer this support is essential and it is important to invest in them as much as the individuals on the projects. Arsenal Kickz is evolving as an important social inclusion provision within Islington and we are gradually building a solid reputation. The partnership can give itself a brief pat on the back for its efforts to date; however, there is a BUT! There is still an awful lot more to do at both projects if we are going to provide robust evidence that projects like Kickz can genuinely make a significant contribution to some of the serious issues faced by young people today. 46 Attached Document STILL A LOT TO DO As Dennis Bergkamp, Johan Cruyff and Robin Van Persie left Elthorne Park closely followed by camera crews from English and Dutch TV, journalists from a range of local and national papers and the various VIP guests; they left behind the local youngsters and the Arsenal Kickz project to get on with business as usual. Away from all the media attention and beyond the impressive Bergkamp Cruyff Court there is a very interesting piece of work going on within the project. Apart from the activities that take place five evenings each week there is also a sharp focus on a number of Government concerns surrounding young people living in inner city areas. Many of the media present at the launch have in recent times reported on issues such as young people being bored with nothing to do, anti social behaviour and knife crime. Solving these problems is a complex issue and the Kickz project does not for one minute think that it has the answers but we are confident that we can make a genuine contribution. So Dennis, Johan and Robin can feel proud, not only because of the legacy of a top notch football facility but through the hard work of the partnership they can also be assured that their generosity is paving the way for some very important social contributions to the lives of the young people growing up in Islington. For further information on Arsenal Kickz please contact: Freddie Hudson 020 7704 4144 fhudson@arsenal.co.uk www.arsenal.com/kickzproject 47