ACTIVE COMMUNITIES NETWORK TACKLING POVERTY, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, INSPIRING CHANGE COMMUNITY

In the mid-2000s, several small groups and project workers in London came together to develop a strategy for growing and sustaining projects primarily funded by the Active Communities Development Fund. These like-minded agencies developed new ways of working to improve outcomes for young people when they were stigmatised and labelled as troublesome.

In response to this a new charity, London Active Communities, was formed with a remit to deliver services in South London and by 2009, the charity was rebranded to Active Communities Network (ACN) due to expansion far beyond London. Using sport, physical activity, arts and cultural activity, their programmes offer young people pathways into vocational training, education, citizenship and employment skills. They also provide the experience needed to address a range of social issues to ensure everyone has the opportunity succeed, regardless of their background.

ACN’s work in Northern Ireland began in 2009 when a collective of voluntary and community sector groups working with young people in West Belfast approached ACN. The organisation set up a pilot programme in 2009 called GOALS (Generating Opportunities and Learning Through Sport), working with a small group of high-risk young people in the West Belfast communities of Ballymurphy and Whiterock. After the success of this programme, ACN now works across Belfast and other areas in Northern Ireland.

Local and regional collaboration along with multi-agency working with local authorities, health providers, local clubs, community groups and voluntary sector partners, is crucial in providing outcomes and safeguarding young people.

Julian Wadsworth MBE, Head of Programmes in Hampshire; says the work in his area has the “flexibility to deliver a multi-tier approach, offering young people a wide range of activities and progression routes.”

One of the biggest barriers to engaging people who feel isolated or forgotten, is finding a connection. This is why ACN employs local people from the areas they are supporting, often the project workers are people that benefitted from the ACN’s services in the past. Over 50% of the staff teams across regions are young people and young adults who have progressed through the charity’s methodology. “The impact we are having is tremendous; not only are we helping offer stability and engagement with the participants, we are helping them take their next steps back into education or into employment, increasing the enjoyment of learning and achieving.” Julian continues; “It is vital that we focus on prevention and early intervention and support young people to build resilience and achieve their goals. We are operating in communities with complex issues, including the increasing presence of Organised Crime Groups and higher risk of exploitation, gang association and violence.” The importance of ACN building trust and relationships with communities and young people over a sustained period can bring spectacular results.

Since beginning their work, ACN has engaged 2,810 young people in sports activities, accreditation and volunteering, with 2,245 involved in sports activities, 1,204 involved in accreditation programmes and 1,014 people engaged in volunteering.

Tayah’s experience through ACN programming in Leigh Park, Hampshire is a testament to their work; ‘I was a 14-year-old who wanted to rebel due to the personal challenges that I was facing and was not optimistic about my future before I got involved with ACN. I started boxing with them and went on to volunteer, gaining numerous qualifications. I am now in my second year at University of Portsmouth, studying Social Work, whilst continuing with ACN as a paid project worker.’

This testimony and others like it, show why it is so important to think differently around working with people, no matter where they are from.