Sport. Targeting. Risk. Integrating. Voluntarily. Engagement.

S.T.R.I.V.E. .

N.I.N.I.

BackgroundTacticsPurpose Our approach to youth at risk?Youth Sport vs Youth Crime?Delivery mechanismWho’s Keeping Score?Extra Time? Some of the questions STRIVE NI CIC is researching at present

Introduction

Due to cuts in public spending over the past 4 years specific to the use of sport for development the sector has been in a somewhat state of fluxThese affects have led to many organisations within urban renewal communities, adapting in most cases siege mentalities and striving for funding outside of their core remit or losing staff and closing projects down.This has lead to massive duplication and outcomes, the very heart of any successful programme becoming skewed. Across varying sectors in N.I. are export potential is not realised, yet we are good at importing models of best practice in this area.In N.I. we have investment across DHSSPS, DCALNI, DOJNI, OFMDFM YJANI, PCSP,DSD, DELNI DFA, PHA, SEUPB and a host of grant giving organisations locally and nationally that all provide funding support to the use of sport/adventure learning to tackle social issues.In order for sport to make its case for development, it must be grounded in sound academic theory supported via practical targeted interventions locally that show how it returns social investment.

Background to STRIVE NI CIC

Vision

•Develop a single, sustainable, local sport for development infrastructure that tackles a range of social issues mapped to local need and priorities.

 Mission

• To change, develop and build on the culture of sport and adventure learning in Northern Ireland, In order to develop targeted interventions within youth at risk settings, leading to improvements in health, cohesion, education and other social and economic benefits.

Priorities

•High quality inclusive sport provision linked inextricably with strong, well developed and sustainable outcomes and partners.

•Sport, and adventure learning as a tool to promote education and skills: via volunteering, coaching, leadership, sport as a career option, sporting events, social enterprise development, links to employers.

•Developing models of best practice and shared learning that gives N.I. a greater influence in the International Sports for development sector.

STRIVE NI CIC Overview

STRIVE NI CIC having worked in this field for nearly 15 years across numerous partners and funders both locally/Internationally, has determined that avenues exist in N.I. to look at the development of a sports consortia encompassing organisations that offer a unique selling service…….

The rationale of this consortia is to offer a bespoke service that can target the following areas:

1.Educational under-achievement

2.Mental health concerns/drugs/alcohol

3.Crime and anti-social behaviour

4.Community conflict

All areas identified above can be traced to issues of youth at risk, social exclusion, no sense of belonging or family/school conditions.

Determining the values/objectives of such a consortia with its partners including Seaview Enterprises, Colin Glen Trust, T13 Urban Sport Park, 180 Degrees Training CIC, Newry Sports Partnership CIC and Monkstown ABC was crucial to meet the needs of the young person we want to engage.

The consortia brings a range of skill sets, competencies and like minded people together focussed on delivering impacts for our most at risk youth

Tactics

How do we work with at risk?

Grounded in Dr Larry Bendtros 1990 approach Reclaiming at risk youth.

Based on the interaction of four systems known as; Circle of Courage; Belonging (build bonds), Independence (ability to build self), Generosity (altruism, community spirit, restorative),Mastery (problem solve, efficacy)

At risk youth have a breakdown in system

Circle of Courage

Risk Factors

According to many criminology experts the most effective approach to reducing youth crime is to steer them away from negative social activities before they become involved in criminal activities.

We have seen with the rise over the past 20 or so years of diversionary programmes funded via a range of statutory agencies to help steer young people away from risk taking behaviours. (Do these interventions work with the specific hard to reach?)

Jameson and Ross 2007 stated that “It is unrealistic to claim that sport alone can contribute to reduced levels of crime as its causes are complex and multi-dimensional”

Sport has shown to give risk taking youth positive feelings of identity, promote pro social values, feelings of empowerment and leadership, and help them set Goals.

If sport is really to test itself in this environment it requires a coach education programme with a full wrap around support package based on the needs of participants involved, supported via solid monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Youth Sport Vs Youth Crime?

Delivery Mechanism

Who’s Keeping Score?

What is the current partnership arrangement for targeting at risk youth?

What current programmes have been set up locally that target at risk, to avoid duplication?

How will any programme be monitored and evaluated to enhance learning and build evidence base?

What are the current unmet needs of young people void of aspirations, no role models and lack of opportunities?

I’m just a coach……… Not setting expectations and building programmes to target multi-faceted social issues, around sports specific coaches

Extra-Time?

In order for sport to define itself moving forward, its role in tackling social issues must be more fully understood.

The terminology is ever changing; sport plus, sport for change, plus sport, sport for peace and development, sport for social change, sport for development?

The issues are always prevalent around social deprivation, it’s the value of such given to sport from Government that directs how we as practioners develop our services. Is this how we develop our case?

Is it youth at risk, or risky youth?How will sport benefit from RPA?What role will sport play in community planning?The use of sport in community relations work?Is it developing resilient communities, or is this Mental Toughness?Will social return measurements be accepted via Government

Departments, and assist front line organisations that deliver real change, opportunities to impact lives?

DENI-Priorities For Youth 2013

OFMDFM-Children and Young People Strategy (2006-2016)

DELNI-Success through Skills 2 (NEET Strategy)

Call to Action 2011 (Dawn Purvis working group)

DSD-New Targeting Social Need

DOJNI Reducing Reoffending 2012

OFMDFM- Together Building United Communities

Community planning vision/targeting resources to meet need

ROP/PSNI-Prevent and Deter

Youth Justice Review 2011

DCALNI-Sports Matters

Belfast Strategic Partnership-Resilience Strategy

Strategic Relevance

STRIVE NI CIC is now exploring other geographic locations with a specific focus on the North West Region of N.I.

If you require any further Information please see

www.180degreestrainng.co.uk and click on projects

Area of interest: What Game are we Playing: Professor Fred Coalter 2013

Thank You For Your Time

Michael Mc Cusker

Director

STRIVE NI CIC

E: michael@180degreestraining.co.uk

Next Steps