Football being used to support at risk youngsters in Wiltshire
Wiltshire FA is harnessing the power of sport to engage with young people
Young people in Wiltshire at risk of offending are being supported by a football scheme with the Wiltshire FA.
The FA's headquarters in Devizes recently became one of the newest locations for a knife disposal bin as part of Sceptre - a week focussing on tackling knife crime in the South West.
"We want to use football in a positive way to make positive change," said Wiltshire FA Chief Executive, Simon Russell.
Change can be around mental or physical health, but also about being a deterrent from crime.
They achieve this through the Roots and Shoots scheme, where youngsters, who are known to the police and other services to be at risk of going down the wrong path, can use football as a means to engage in way they haven't before.
"The experience only happens if coaches turn up, if the kit and equipment's here and it's respected," said Mr Russell.
He added that he hopes the players quickly understand the need to respect coaches and teammates in order to enjoy their football.
It also provides a platform for youngsters to communicate with support services - including the police and youth workers.
"They can start to have a proper conversation with people who can just sign post or help them. in terms of some of the choices they're making and and how we can improve those choices they're making," Mr Russell said.
It shows the difference sport can make, with Mr Russell saying that football, as a team sport, builds the sense of responsibility with teammates.
He added: "There's an enormous power for us as individuals, you know, in terms of our mental well-being, our physical well-being, but also in terms of our societal cohesion and things like that."