Disadvantaged areas within the east of Cardiff have been given a helping hand in cutting the rates of crime and anti-social behaviour by becoming a hive of activity. Football, Futsal, street hockey and golf are just some of the sports being used in the area to help refocus and enrich the lives of children and young people of all ages and backgrounds. And the result? 15% reduction in anti social behaviour incidents.
From sports camps and training to inspirational visits to football clubs and stadiums across the UK, Voluntary Action Cardiff (VAC), South Wales Police, Communities First, East Cardiff Neighbourhood Management Team and the Rumney Forum have all been working alongside professional sports clubs to provide youngsters in the area with opportunities to really turn their lives around.
Peter Griffiths, Head Coach and Development Officer with VAC explains:
“Disadvantaged areas have so much to offer and we are coming across some really talented youngsters that have now gone on to develop their skills at professional academies. Football in particular has been the most popular with some players, who would otherwise be hanging around on street corners, being snapped up and playing against Premier League and Football League clubs. The work has not only transformed the area but also young people’s lives.”
New voluntary sports groups have been formed, sports coaching and community leadership skills have been developed and resources and experience have also been provided to help the youngsters plan and deliver sports activities to other people in their community. Some of them have even been identified by professional clubs and are now playing at professional academies.
Peter continues:
“By working together we can help make Cardiff a safer, healthier and more prosperous city. Sport is widely used across Europe as a tool to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, promote healthy living, combat obesity and regenerate towns and cities and figures show that it’s certainly having an effect on Cardiff.”
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Nicky Flower said:
“Youth engagement is an extremely important part of the work of neighbourhood officers, and throughout the last year the team has worked with community partners to build up links with young people through the fantastic appeal of sport. Great strides have been made in preventing and tackling anti social behaviour in Rumney and St Mellons, but the entire team are committed to improve this further, based on strong partnership working and community engagement.”
The Rumney Forum, VAC and South Wales Police have been highly commended by the Home Office for their work and last year received the Tiley Award, a national award for their work with the community and in particular in helping to reduce the anti-social behaviour and crime in the area.
Coach and Development Officer Peter Griffiths, the Rumney PCSO’s, Samantha Johnson and Tim Jones, PC Neighbourhood Manager Gavin Rees and VAC staff Kirsty Evans also visited Westminster and helped raise awareness to MP’s about how sport tackles problems and helps change the lives of children and young people.
The benefits of sport have been widely championed by the sector following the launch of a Vision for Sport in Wales. Devised by Sport Wales and industry partners, the Vision highlights the positive impacts of sport on not only people’s health and well-being but also in engaging disadvantaged groups and contributing to social inclusion and community cohesion.
Chair of Sport Wales, Professor Laura McAllister, explains how the work happening in the east of Cardiff is exactly what the Vision encompasses:
“Whilst the Vision for Sport in Wales focuses heavily on the improvement and development of Welsh sport, it also recognises the ability it has to positively influence an array of personal, community and nationwide developments. It is so encouraging to see that projects like this are engaging children in sport, and not only steering them away from crime and anti-social behaviour but also setting them up for a lifetime involved in sport; whether it be participating or delivering. This is exactly what we want for every child in Wales.”
Background information:
The 15% reduction figure relates to ASB incidents in Rumney & St Mellons from 1st January 2010 – 31st December 2010, compared to the same period in 2009.
There are lots of sport based activities planned over the next few weeks, so please keep posted for updates & more stories about the difference sport is making in Rumney & St Mellons. Peter will also be getting youngsters involved in learning the Welsh language.
Follow South Wales Police and Sport Wales on twitter at www.twitter.com/swpolice & www.twitter.com/sport_wales
