Final report 29th April 09

Be Young Be Safe Be Aware

Bordesley Green Detached Project c/o Mirfield Centre Scholars GateKitts Green Birmingham B33 0DL

Tel: 0121 783 6733/07766925292 Email bgreen_project@yahoo.co.uk

Birmingham Youth Service

Contents

Background

Methodology

What is Streetwise

Outcomes

Drugs workshop

Future Plans

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Bordesley Green Detached Project‘Be Young Be Safe Be Aware’

Final Report

Background:The Theme of the past three months for the project has been ‘Be Young Be Safe Be Aware’ where the project worked in different locations within the Ward delivering various diversionary activities and projects for young people, in partnership with Streetwise & Wheeler Street Drug’s Project.

This effective interventions work has addressed gangs and drugs related issues while building self confidence and positive attitudes of young people. The aims are to demystify the appeal of street crime by challenging young people’s attitude and beliefs, and explore real life issues.

Methodology:The Project engaged young people through a range of activities and identified young people who may particularly benefit from targeted work focusing on gang membership. Having engaged with and identified young people, the project organised series of workshops in partnership with Streetwise (see Appendix A for detail). An attitudinal questionnaire was used at the beginning of the programme (see Appendix B) and an evaluation questionnaire used at the end of the project to measure outcomes (see Appendix C).

What is Streetwise?Streetwise is a gun, gang and knife crime prevention resource which aims to educate young people about the consequences of gun, gang, and knife related cultures. Using a range of interactive mediums such as arts, music, role play, and group work, Streetwise aims to demystify the appeal of street crime by challenging young people’s attitudes and beliefs, and explores real life issues.

Streetwise works in innovative ways with young people to develop their self-esteem and confidence and enabling them to resist gang, gun and knife culture. Streetwise is one way of reaching out to young people in gangs or at risk of joining a gang and helping them to make positive decisions that will prevent them from harm. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and make constructive decisions affecting their lives.

With support from Bordesley Green Detached Project staff and volunteers, Streetwise delivered 3 Saturday afternoon workshops specifically covering issues of gang membership, peer pressure, consequences and substance misuse. During the three week period there were 50 young people attending each workshop, which were for 3 hours. Throughout these workshops young people were engaged in various group activities and role play to increase their awareness and understanding of issues around gang cultures. Young people were asked for an exit strategy plan from gang culture and these were their thoughts.

Not to hang around with gang members. Move away from the area. Set yourself a target to get a job Go to youth clubs. Play sport. Work hard at school. Suitable activities to be occupied. Look for guidance’s and support from youth worker. Community support. Anger management through activities. Positive role models. Get help form youth workers.

This demonstrates that young people have positive ideas of how they could avoid gang membership.

The workshops were very well attended, and while not all young people were directly involved in gangs, there were certainly a large number who were at risk of being involved in gang activity. It is acknowledged that the workshops will not be able to make big changes to the lives of individuals on their own, but they have worked as a platform to start exploring these issues further with young people. Some ‘Streetwise’ resources to continue this work have been purchased and it is planned to continue to address these issues with young people that the Bordesley Green Detached Project is engaged with.

Outcomes: The proposed outcomes of the project were as follows;

20 young people involved in gangs, on the periphery of gangs, or at risk of being recruited into gangs, to be identified by and engaged with Bordesley Green Detached Project

66 young people took part in one or more of the Streetwise workshops, with attendances each session of 40-50 young people. Of these at least 16 targeted young people attended all 3 sessions and 22 attended two of the workshops.

Identified young people to gain increased self awareness and understanding of how they can influence others and how they, themselves can be influenced.

Young people covered these issues within the Streetwise workshops. A questionnaire has been undertaken and when asked what they have gained from taking part in the programme, the most common answers that had been important for the young people were

Think of the consequences of my actions. Understand myself better. I have a say what goes on. Helped me to improve my attendance at the centre. Helped me to improve my confidence. Helped me to be more motivated.

For young people to identify positive decisions and directions in their lives and how they can start to address these.

Young people at the final Streetwise workshops identified exit strategies and positive directions (see above). When asked what young people’s next steps were, comments of some young people in the questionnaire included;

Work harder at school. Keep out of trouble and find a job. Respect and treat everyone equally. Keep away from drugs. Don’t know what I want to next. Wait for more activities to keep me busy. Take up more programmes to gain confidence may go on to youth work. I have loved all the projects. Continue attending future projects it was a great experience. For young people to access ongoing support and positive activities.

Bordesley Green Detached Project has registered all these young people and continues to work with them. Individual support is given where needed and in the questionnaire, 18 young people identified that they would like future support.

Drugs Workshops:As well as the work delivered around the issue of gangs, the Bordesley Green Detached Project worked alongside The Wheeler Street Drugs Project to address issues of substance misuse with young people identified and engaged through youth workers. Please see separate Wheeler Street report for more details of this project and outcomes.

Future Plans:The project has worked well as a pilot and there is no doubt that it has been an excellent platform for future discussions with young people around the issues of safety for young people and their risk of involvement in gangs and drugs issues. The Youth Service has met with Chris Dyer to discuss a strategic approach to this work and where the Youth Service can contribute. It is likely that any further work will be undertaken in line with this city strategy.

Appendix A Streetwise workshops Workshop 1Street gangsaims

To define the term gang. To explore reasons why young people join gangs. To explore gang recruitment methods. Understand the consequences of gang affiliation. To explore the history of gangs. To identify strategies to stay safe and avoid gang membership. Identify gang exit strategies.

Young people were made aware of different types of gangs and their culture. Such as terms used as studio gangsters i.e. wannabeez, peer-groups and organised gangs, it was explored how young people could be recruited into such gang activities especially from peer pressure and how young people could be perceived negatively.

A former gang member was also present to share his experiences with the group, in order to encourage young people to stay safe and avoid gang membership.

Young people took part in an exercise to design a poster message in their groups.

Messages from young people.

Stuff happens for a reason only then you’ll find out your real people. Stop look listen think be safe then sorry. Think b4 you act stop violence. Drop a knife save a life. Step back and think.

Workshop 2DealersAims

To identify what a drug dealer is. Explore the history of drugs. Identify reason why youth turn to drug dealing. Identify the consequences of drug dealing. Identify the affect of drugs on self and society as a whole. Identify reason why not to become a drug dealer and use drugs.

During this session young people were engaged using group work as a method of delivery to raise awareness and education in relation to drugs and dealing culture. The street names of different drugs were explored and the classification regarding the law.Young people also identified the consequences of drug dealing and shared experiences they have encountered about how drugs have ruined their friends, siblings and families lives whilst giving factual information.

The session also focused on the impact of drugs on careers, finance and the law. Moving on to issues surrounding personal safety regarding binge drinking, drugs misuse and staying safe. Young people were made aware that buying drugs is illegal and possession and supply are both serious offences that can bring strong penalties.

During this session MC Magic shared his experience with young people about how he makes money legally by producing his own music and selling CD’S on the road. He preformed with positive lyrics for the group and young people were involved in writing positive lyrics to spit their own bars.

Workshop 3Doin Timeaims

To gain an understanding of how prison affect self and society as a whole. To explore the prison routine and a day in the life of a prisoner. Gain an understanding of the judicial system. Identify how the prison system works. Identify reason to avoid prison and stay safe.

Facts and figures were shared on the reality of prison life. Through group work consequences and the affects on family and friends were discussed. Young people were presented with the harsh routine in prison and were made aware of CRB checks and how this could have implication on their chosen career.

Past experience of prison life was shared with the young people by a former gang member “Coming into prison as a convict can be very upsetting, lonely and stressful and can make you feel really unwanted”. He also talked about daily routine in prison.

Appendix B

Bordesley Green Detached Project(Be Young Be Safe Be Aware)

Disagree Agree Strongly 1 2 3 4 5 6 Strongly

Numbers of responses given57 Young People Participate

Questions

I feel safe in the area I live in.

5 2 5 9 8 28

This is a safe area for other members of the community.

8 4 11 9 14 11

I have been pressured by people to use drugs and alcohol.

48 4 2 1 0 2

I find it easy to say no to my friends if I don’t want to do something.

6 4 5 5 1 36

What I do with my life is my own business, no-one else’s.

5 13 7 20 5 7

I have support I need to get into employment,education or training.

2 3 4 1 15 32

I would like a steady job. 1 4 7 5 3 37The only way to get on in this area is through illegal activities.

31 9 5 5 1 6

My actions can have an influence on my younger brothers, sisters and cousins.

2 9 3 2 2 39

I know where to go to get support if I have a problem.

11 8 5 2 0 31

I have a choice about getting involved in gang/illegal activities.

7 5 5 1 4 35

It’s easy to leave a gang once you get involved.

15 5 10 15 6 6

Q1. After looking at the figures we can see that 28 young people said they felt safe in their own area and 5 young people disagreed strongly.

Q2. This was a mixed response from the young people saying their area is a safe place to live in.

Q3. The figures for this question are positive to see that more young people are not peer pressured to use illegal substances only few young people agreed strongly that they have been pressured to use drugs and alcohol.

Q4. 36 young people agree strongly that they are not peer pressured but a very small minority strongly disagreed.

Q5. These figures show that the young people are in two minds whether to take advice and support from other people or make their own choices.

Q6. These figures are very positive to see that young people know where to go to get advice and support on their future.

Q7. 37 young people agreed strongly that they would like to have a steady job.

Q8. Young people feel illegal activities are not the only way to get on in their area.

Q9. This response highlights that young people feel their actions could have a big effect on their younger members of the family.

Q10. The majority of young people knew where to get support if they have a problem how ever the figures show that 11 young people do not know were to get support from, this is a cause for concern.

Q11. Majority of young people agreed strongly to have a choice of whether to get involved in a gang /illegal activities.

Q12. This was a mixed response from young people who felt that it is hard to leave a gang once you are a member.

Appendix C

Bordesley Green Detached Project(Be young be safe be aware)

Questionnaire analysis of 25 young people who participated in this questionnaire.

Bordesley green detached project from January to March 09 has been working with the above theme. The project carried out a questionnaire to ascertain young people’s views and experiences from the programme.

1.) Whilst on the Bordesley green detached project programme how many hours a week did you spent with the project?

Less than 1 hour 2 young people

2-3 hours 9 young people

4-6 hours 14 young people

2.) Since coming in contact with the project which activities have you taken part in and how often?

Yes No Once Several Frequently times

Sport and leisure activities 25 0 3 17 5

Art, drama, music activities 23 2 19 3 1

Day trips out 20 5 8 11 1

Residentials 20 5 13 6 1

Spending time on my own with a worker 20 5 15 5 0

Spending time in a group with a worker 19 6 16 3 0

Graffiti research 6 19 6 0 0

First Aid 18 7 18 0 0

Drugs workshop 9 16 9 0 0

Street wise workshop street Gangs 20 5 20 0 0

Street wise workshop Doin’ Time 22 3 22 0 0

Street wise workshop Bite the Bullet 22 3 22 0 0

From the above analysis the most popular choices were.

Sport and leisure activities. Art, drama, music activities. Street wise workshops.

3.) During your time on the programme how important would you say these things have been to you?

Very Fairly Not very Notimportant important important important at all

To be with friends 24 1

To take part in activities 17 7 1

To get help or advice about police and crime 12 9 4

To get help or advice about drugs 16 6 3

Having a place to go 16 8 1

Meeting other young people 11 9 5

The things I have done on the project 17 7 1

The friendliness of the workers 20 5

Help and support from workers if I needed it 17 8

Gaining more knowledge and information 14 9 2

The most popular choices from young people.

24 young people stated being with friends was very important to them. 20 young people stated friendliness of the workers was very important. 17 young people said help and support from workers if needed was very

important and 8 young people said fairly important.

4.) During your time on the programme have you received help and advice from a worker on the following?

Yes No Very Fairly Not very NotImportant important important important at all

Finding jobs or training 17 8 16 6 3

Trouble with crime and police 21 4 20 4 1

Relationships at home 18 7 10 10 5

Relationships with friends 5 20 4 1 20

Matters to do with racism 22 3 22 2 1

Things to do with drugs 25 23 1 1

Things to do with health 18 7 12 8 5

Smoking cigarettes 15 10 10 5 5 5

Drinking alcohol 25 23 2

Problems at school 21 4 19 3 2 1

The most popular choices are.

Matters to do with racism 22 young people said yes that this was very important. Things to do with drugs 23 young people said yes that this was very important. Drinking alcohol 23 young people said yes that this was very important.

5.) We would like to know what you have got from coming on the programme?

Since coming here: Yes, very Yes, quite Yes, a No, not Does not much a lot little at all apply to me

I have made new friends 16 3 1 4 1

I have learned new skill/skills 20 4 1

I have a say in what goes on 22 3 1

I feel more confident 21 2 1

I am more able to make decisions 15 6 4 for myself

I am more able to ask for help 17 4 2 2 and information

I understand myself better 22 1 2

I think of the consequences of my 23 1 1 Actions

Coming here has:

Helped me with my relationship at home5 6 4 8 2

Helped me with my relationship with 18 3 2 1 1youth workers

Helped me understand people who 5 15 3 1 1are different from me

Helped me settle down better at school 18 3 4

Helped me keep out of trouble with 17 6 1 1 the police

Helped me avoid using drugs 18 2 5

Helped me improve my confidence 21 3 1

Helped me improved my attendance 22 3 at the centre

Helped me to be more motivated 19 4 1 1

Helped me to be healthier 16 5 2 2

The most popular choices from the above questionnaire was the following. Think of the consequences of my actions. Understand myself better. I have a say what goes on. Helped me to improve my attendance at the centre. Helped me to improve my confidence. Helped me to be more motivated.

6.) Whilst on the programme did you have an opportunity to be involved in one to one sessions with a worker?

Yes No Very Fairly Not very NotImportant important important important at all

15 15

7.) Now that you have finished the programme what will you do next?

Comments of some young people.

Work harder at school. Keep out of trouble and find job. Respect and treat everyone equally. Keep away from drugs. Don’t know what I do next. Wait for more activities to keep me busy. Take up more programmes to gain confidence may go on to youth work. I have loved all the projects. Continue attending future projects it was a great experience.

8.) Do you wish to receive any on going support now that the programme has finished?

Yes 18 No 7

Bordesley Green Detached Projectc/o Mirfield Centre Scholars GateKitts Green Birmingham B33 0DL

Tel: 0121 783 6733/07766925292Email bgreen_project@yahoo.co.uk

Birmingham Youth Service