Grant of the Month
Positive activities for young people.....
.JPG)
CRIME levels on the Winn Gardens estate have seen a marked reduction thanks to football training sessions made possible by a cash boost from the South Yorkshire Community Foundation.
A grant allowed Winn Gardens TARA to team up with Sheffield Wednesday Football Club for the sessions which are engaging young people in the area.
Bernard Brocklehurst, chairman of the group, was full of praise for the effect their funding has had.
He said: "Since receiving the grant we have been able to gather momentum and have a continuous flow of activities with the young people that has released an energy in the community.
"People have remarked about just how quiet the estate has become and how the anti-social behaviour has come down."
"There is starting to be more openness between the young people and the police, and they're beginning to realise the police aren't just there to arrest people, but to help as well."
The training sessions for the young people has gone far beyond teaching football skills, but has offered a vital diversionary activity that is teaching the young people with self esteem, confidence and discipline.
The group has also reported that the sessions are opening up the whole community, as older residents can see the difference that has been made.
"It has done great things for the estate in bringing people together both young and old. Everyone can see the effect it's having and the community is really starting to open up to each other.
"Our area gets a lot of bad press so it's good for us to be able to tell a really positive story about what we are doing."
.jpg)
