Published: 17 March 2010

Young people at risk of anti-social behaviour are benefiting from an increase in evening activities at an inner-city community centre in Sheffield, thanks to government funding.

Staff and volunteers at the Stubbin Estate Community Centre introduced more activities for young people on Tuesday and Friday evenings after receiving £10,000 from the Youth Crime Action Plan (YCAP) – a cross-government initiative to ensure young people have safe places to go and interesting things to do on Friday and Saturday nights.

Street dance workshops, DJ-ing, Nintendo Wii Fit, pool, table tennis and arts and crafts are just some of the many activities now available to young people at the centre. A support group is also available to give youngsters the opportunity to talk about behaviour issues, problems at school and any other concerns they may have.

Development Worker, Sylvana Mansell, MBE, who has been the main driving force behind setting up the extra activities, said:

“I spend a lot of time out and about in the community meeting young people and identifying those who would benefit most from the services on offer at the centre. This extra funding has helped us to keep even more young people off the streets and in a safe environment, where they can learn new skills, meet up with their friends and discuss issues which really matter to them.”

Experience shows that young people are more likely to get involved in positive activities when they have a say in what is available, and that taking part helps them to learn new skills, as well as divert them from behaviour that might be considered by the wider community as anti-social.

A recent consultation exercise on the development of a nearby plot of land gave the youngsters an opportunity to put forward ideas that would help deter young people from gathering and making a nuisance of themselves. Suggestions included the use of rubber matting instead of gravel for landscaping and a more suitable location for a new bench. Sheffield City Council allocated the YCAP cash to the youth provision at Stubbin Estate Community Centre.

Patrick Meleady, Aiming High Manager with the council's Integrated Youth Support Service, said:

“Stubbin Estate Community Centre is a fantastic facility for young people. The staff work extremely hard to provide constructive activities and support services to those who need it most. The additional evening activities have really helped make a difference to the lives of young people and benefited the community as a whole.”

Chief Superintendent Andy Barrs, South Yorkshire Police, added:

"The facilities at Stubbin Estate Community Centre have been instrumental in reducing anti-social behaviour in the area by providing young people with positive activities on Friday and Saturday nights. YCAP funding is making a terrific impact across the city and is being utilised alongside other government funding to support local youth provision."

Sixteen-year-old Samantha Ward, who is a regular visitor to the centre and recently became a volunteer, said:

“It's brilliant to have somewhere safe to go where you can chill out with your friends, learn new skills or just play a game of pool or table tennis. We really enjoy the extra activities, especially the street dance workshops.”

Around 35-40 young people attend the street dance workshop, delivered by Activity Sheffield, every Friday evening. The facilities are open to all young people in the area.

The YCAP, published in July 2008, sets out a comprehensive package of measures to prevent and tackle youth crime through a triple-track approach of tough enforcement, non-negotiable support and prevention. Sixty-nine areas across the country are delivering an intensive YCAP package to ensure young people have safe places to go and interesting things to do on Friday and Saturday nights over three years from 2008-2011.