Dorset PCC funding mentor scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour
The Starfish LEAP programme in Bournemouth and Poole has got support
Young people at risk of committing anti-social behaviour are being taught vital life skills through a mentorship scheme that's being funded by Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner.
AIM Community has set up the Starfish LEAP programme for 11-18 year olds across Bournemouth and Poole.
It helps young people learn life skills like cooking and financial literacy, while enhancing self-esteem and keeping them away from anti-social activities.
The programme will also equip young people with budgeting skills and a better understanding on how best to utilise their income.
Starfish focus on education around knife crime prevention and provide drop-ins at their two centres, allowing young people to ask for life advice from trained youth workers while having fun in a safe space, with video and board games available.
The money comes from the PCC’s Fix the Future Community Fund, set up in 2022 to provide young people in Dorset from deprived or isolated areas with greater development opportunities.
More than £93,000 has been given to 11 organisations so far.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick said:
“Enforcement alone can’t combat crimes. To truly tackle the root cause rather than the symptoms, we need clear prevention and education pathways. The Fix the Future Fund creates more prevention and diversion schemes across Dorset, by supporting projects that benefit young people and stops them entering the Criminal Justice System. This has a knock-on impact for our local communities, who suffer from less disruptive and anti-social behaviour.”
Project Manager of Starfish, Wes Williams said:
“Our dream is that all young people in Dorset can flourish, regardless of background or challenges they faced in early life. We have worked with children that experienced run-ins with the police and local authorities.
“Through our one-to-one mentoring, young people have a safe and non-judgemental place to be heard and discuss the issues affecting them whether that be at school, at home or among peers. Our intervention has already positively impacted Bournemouth and Poole, and we will continue to strive for decreasing rates of anti-social behaviour, county lines and knife crime among young people.”