Arsenal Kickz Westminster Report

Arsenal
Kickz
Westminster
Report
1st December 2007 to
30th November 2008
‘TAG CLOUDS’
Arsenal Kickz in Westminster – at a Glance
alternative breaking barriers
building relationships Chlamydia screening
commitment confidence development discipline
engagement excitement football friendly match fun growth
healthy lifestyles involvement knife crime
opportunity participation partnership positive
contribution practice respect responsibility safe
accreditation agency
place
screening
team work
self esteem
training
sexual health
trust young
skill stadium visit
people
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1.0. Project information
Host football club(s):
Arsenal
Address:
Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, Islington, London.
Postcode:
N5 1BU
Key Contact and role:
Overview of report:
Freddie Hudson, Community Manager
This annual report covers the delivery of the Arsenal Kickz project in the London Borough of
Westminster between 1st December 2007 and 30th November 2008.
The first section provides details of the project, location, partners and aims & objectives
along with some information on how Kickz links to various national and local agendas.
After a statistical update the report then looks at some case studies relating to the project,
various Every Child Matters contributions and young people linked to the Kickz project. In
closing the report will briefly explore future opportunities and plans.
Location of project:
Academy Sport is the base for the football activities which take place each Wednesday and
Sunday evening. The venue is a new School Academy and we are lucky to have the use of
three quality artificial pitches. The facilities are outdoors but uniquely sit under a flyover
which means that the sessions are sheltered from poor weather. Two 6-a -side and one 8-aside pitch are full to capacity during Kickz sessions and the management of the groups is
made easier with a controlled entry system into the facilities.
Initial project launch date:
Project summary:
28 / 11 / 2007
Since the Arsenal Kickz sessions began at Academy Sport there has been regular engagement
between staff and young people. The large numbers attending (336 registered with 107 of
these recorded as regularly involved during the last reporting period) can sometimes provide
suitable opportunities to address a number of the Every Child Matters strands. In this sense
the project has made a conscious effort to take advantage of these opportunities and called
upon partners to assist with this focus.
Westminster DAAT provided our delivery staff with sexual health and substance misuse
training and Westminster's Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator facilitated Chlamydia screening
for almost twenty participants as well as delivery staff at one of the Kickz sessions. This
approach highlights how partnerships can be used effectively to address shared agendas.
"It is vital to identify less traditional routes to deliver prevention work to young people and
especially to young men. Working with Arsenal Kickz has provided us with such an
opportunity."
Norah O'Brien, Westminster Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator
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Forty young people aged between 12 and 19 years travelled outside of the borough to play in
matches against one of the Islington Kickz projects. A group also competed in an 'All Nations
Tournament' in Walthamstow organised by the London Playing Fields Society. Along with
the benefits that came with the involvement in these events, the project valued the
opportunity to take young people out of their area and participate in positive activities while
mixing with young people from other parts of London. Home and away matches have also
taken place with Chelsea FC who deliver a Kickz project in the South of the borough. These
events also included the Home Office 'Be Safe' workshops highlighting the risks involved in
carrying weapons and knife crime.
The project intends to continue with this approach. It will be requesting support from wider
partners to help look beyond the core programme in an attempt to support participants in
other areas of their lives. One example is having already provided ten young people with an
accredited qualification we intend to build upon this with volunteer opportunities in the
coming year and the aim to offer part time employment opportunities to those who wish to
develop a career in this area of work.
Aims and objectives:
Kickz is a national programme which uses the hook of professional football clubs brands to
target disadvantaged areas. The overall aim of Kickz is to:
‘Create safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young
people’s potential’.
The programme is currently delivered by 39 professional football clubs’ community teams
across the country, working in partnership with local authorities, police forces and other
agencies. The programme also has strong national multi-agency backing across the football,
sport and music industry, along with the Government and Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO).
The programme objectives are:
• To engage young people in a range of constructive activities linking to the Every Child
Matters framework
• To create routes into education, training and employment
• To reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the targeted neighbourhoods
• To break down barriers between the police and young people
• To encourage volunteering within projects and throughout the target neighbourhoods
• To increase playing, coaching and officiating opportunities for participants
Kickz provides year round, concentrated provision, targeting young people aged 12 to 18.
The format of projects combines football coaching and competition with ‘flexible’ sessions.
The frequency of the programme allows messages beyond football to be conveyed.
Flexible/alternative activities, workshops or developmental sessions can cover a range of key
issues, from healthy lifestyles, to the dangers of getting involved in drugs or carrying
weapons.
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Steering group members:
Kickz projects are designed to be owned and guided by a local steering group, to ensure that
projects are applied in a way which is relevant to local communities. Information can be
shared and joined up solutions and delivery expertise can be implemented.
The steering group who oversee the Arsenal Kickz project based at Academy Sport,
Westminster is made up of representatives from:
* Police
* Safer Neighbourhood Team
* Arsenal in the Community
* Westminster Sport Development Unit
* Westminster Drug & Alcohol Action Team
* Westminster Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator
* Westminster Youth Offending Team
* Westminster Youth Service
* Civic Watch
* City Guardians
* PAYP
* City West Homes
Arsenal in the Community were new to the borough of Westminster so it made perfect sense
to swap the steering group from a police led panel to the established Westminster Positive
Futures steering group where there is already a wide range of relevant partners around the
table.
Good support has been received from Westminster Council through their Sports
Development Unit who chair the steering group and Drug & Alcohol Action Team who have
provided substance misuse training for our delivery staff and the Teenage Pregnancy Coordiantor who facilitated sexual health training for staff and Chlamydia screening for
participants. Facility managers Academy Sport has matched funded the project until March
2009 and have been hugely supportive with facility matters and the police have embraced the
initiative.
National/local agendas:
Kickz has the ability to deliver important mutual outcomes and can impact at a national and
local level.
National Agendas:
Kickz is a cross-Government initiative which has a recognised ability to meet a range of
policy objectives across departments including the DCMS, DCSF, Home Office and Dept of
Health.
The aims, delivery strategy and operational techniques used by Kickz, fit perfectly with the
vision for successful youth provision set out in the Government’s 10 Year Youth Strategy.
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Along with providing targeted support, Kickz provides a significant contribution to
preventing problems occurring rather than simply intervening when they do.
Kickz was developed to directly address each of the five outcomes within the Every Child
Matters framework to allow young people to:
• Be Healthy
• Stay Safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a Positive Contribution
• Achieve Economic Well Being
Case studies included later within this report give examples of how this been attempted.
There is an obvious focus on making a contribution to the objective of reducing crime and
anti-social behaviour in the target areas. Positive trends have been recorded across the
country in this regard. Importantly this is achieved by investing in young people to take
ownership of their projects and encourage them to give back to their community.
Local Agendas:
Kickz projects are engaging often hard to reach young people in target areas at key times and
a number of locally shared agendas and policy priorities are addressed. Examples include
providing significant contributions to the national indicators and local targets for Local
Strategic Partnerships. This includes:
• The Performance Framework for Local Authorities, with multiple indicators addressed
under the Stronger Communities, Safer Communities and Children and Young People
headings.
• Youth Service Performance Targets, particularly in terms of contact, participation, recorded
outcomes, accredited outcomes and number of young people on the path to success.
• National Standards for Positive Activities, providing excellent figures in terms of access to
sport (2hrs+), personal development and volunteering.
• Various objectives of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Social Housing
Providers.
More information on the national and local agendas addressed by the Kickz Programme can
be found by downloading the national Kickz report at: www.footballfoundation.org.uk/kickz
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1.1. Partner Agencies
Partner
Financial Contribution
Police
Support
Chaired original steering
group. Link to partners.
Steering group members.
Partner Testimony
Westminster Sports
Development Unit
Academy Sport
Chair current steering group.
Local knowledge. Strategic
support and guidance. Link to
partners. Delivery support.
Training providers.
£10,375
Facility managers. Funders.
Steering group members.
Westminster Drug & Alcohol
Action Team
Steering group members.
Provided staff training &
development.
Westminster Teenage
Pregnancy Co-ordinator
Provided substance misuse
and sexual health.
Turning Point Hungerford
Drug Project
Staff training and
development around
substance misuse.
Partner Testimony
Arsenal in the Community
Project management and
development. Staffing. Office
space and administration. Use
of Emirates Stadium
facilities. Arsenal match
tickets.
Safer Neighbourhood Team
Steering group members
City Guardians
Steering group members
Civic Watch
Steering group members
Youth Offending Team
Steering group members.
Referral of young people.
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Westminster Youth Service
Steering group members.
Referral of young people.
PAYP
Steering group members
City West Homes
Steering group members
1.2. Project statistics
Project Statistics
1. Attendance and Delivery
A. Attendance
A1 Number of Young People in contact during reporting period
335 100%
A2 Number of Young People registered since Kickz began
336
N/A
4885
N/A
A4 Aggregate contact hours at Sessions
14559:30
N/A
A5 Average Contact Hours (per Young Person)
43:27:40
N/A
250:30
N/A
A3 Aggregate attendance at Sessions
A6 Number of session hours delivered in reporting period
2. Demographics
B. Demographic - Gender
Male
Female
C. Demographic - Age
Not specified
330 98.51%
5
1.49%
259 77.31%
13 and 14
31
9.25%
17 and 18
18
5.37%
15 and 16
15
4.48%
Older than 18
6
1.79%
11 and 12
5
1.49%
Younger than 11
1
0.30%
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D. Demographic - Ethnicity
Not Specified
244 72.84%
black
31
9.25%
white
21
6.27%
asian
10
2.99%
somalian
6
1.79%
mixed race
5
1.49%
Arab
5
1.49%
moroccain
3
0.90%
mixed black
3
0.90%
other
3
0.90%
North African
2
0.60%
Mixed Asian
1
0.30%
Egyptian
1
0.30%
3. Impact
E. Impact - Outcomes
E1
Preset Outcome
Attended personal/social/health development session(s)
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E2 Other Outcomes
F. Impact - Qualifications
Child Protection
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First Aid
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FA LEVEL 1
11
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2.0. Project Overview
Project Agency Case Studies
ARSENAL KICKZ IN WESTMINSTER
The project has settled very quickly at Academy Sport adn with the help of the partnership
has been able to support young people.
From October 2007 when the Arsenal Kickz project began in Westminster it quickly engaged
young people during the football sessions at Academy Sport. Trusting
relationships were established between staff and participants which forms the cornerstone
to our approach.
In order to maintain the interest of participants the project has regularly included a range of
trips and matches as part of its programme. Home and away games can be a very useful way
to stimulate and motivate those on the programme.
COMPETITIVE MATCHES
Regular football activities take place at Academy Sport and continue throughout the year on:
WEDNESDAYS
4.00pm - 6.30pm
SUNDAYS
4.00pm - 7.00pm
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The partnership continues to play an important part. As an organisation that sits outside of the
borough of Westminster, Arsenal in the Community had little knowledge of the local
networks. With this in mind it was important for local agencies to embrace the project which
they have done. Examples of how this has been achieved can be seen in the Every Child
Matters case studies within this report.
We are always grateful that the brand of Arsenal Football Club can attract young people and
partners but we are also aware that this only buys us an introduction. We then stand or fall by
the relationships we develop with each. In this sense we aim to use the brand and all that goes
with it in the right way.
KICKZ MEDAL
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Stadium tours are often a good way to offer something different to young people attending
the programme. They can provide an element of excitement and sense of attachment
to Arsenal Football Club.
WESTIMINSTER GROUP VISITING THE STADIUM
2.1. Scheme Overview
Overview Case Studies
CALLING ON PARTNERS SUPPORT IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE AN IMPACT
Participation levels on Arsenal Kickz sessions at Academy Sport have been high with large
numbers of young people enjoying football activities on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
The activities sometimes provide a suitable opportunity for wider engagement and a chance
for staff to approach a number of issues facing young people growing up in inner city areas.
“They attend the sessions because they love football and once they are involved we get to
know them quite well. While teams are waiting to play it gives us a chance to interact with
the players.”
Arsenal Kickz Worker
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Below are some examples of the range of issues that staff have faced during sessions:
Young person chased by a small group of outsiders during session
Blade found on the pitch during session having dropped out of someone’s pocket
during a match
Players arrive eating bags of chips and drinking fizzy drinks
Situations and others like these provide opportunities to address a range of issues with young
people. So that our staff have a basic knowledge around these topics they have
attended various training courses as part of their professional development.
The Drug & Alcohol Action Teams from the three boroughs that host Arsenal Kickz projects
came together in a piece of partnership work to help support delivery staff. Training was
supplied including substance misuse, sexual health and teenage pregnancy. This is on top of
the child protection/safeguarding, integrated working, conflict resolution and coach training
that staff receive from Arsenal, the Football Foundation and Islington Council.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR WIDER ENGAGEMENT
“I wanted to say something to the guys that were turning up smoking or with bags of chips
and cans of Pepsi but didn’t know the best way to approach it. The training gave me
confidence and now I challenge them by discussing health angles.”
Arsenal Kickz Worker
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SUBSTANCE MISUSE TRAINING FOR STAFF
“As the teenage pregnancy coordinator it is vital to identify less traditional routes to deliver
prevention work to young people and especially to young men. Working with Arsenal
Kickz has provided us with such an opportunity. Working in partnership with Kickz we
have been able to provide the coaching staff with a day’s introduction training on sexual
health and have been able to offer Chlamydia screening to young people aged 16 plus who
attend the Kickz sessions.”
Norah O'Brien Westminster Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator
“The staff training went really well - you have some really good workers with a great
capacity to do sexual health work with young people.”
Norah O'Brien Westminster Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator
“We referred young people to Arsenal Kickz at Westminster Academy, and they got a lot
out of the sessions. Not only are the coaches great at coaching the YP football skills - they
are also fantastic at engaging with the young people who attend the sessions.”
Sook, Turning Point Hungerford Drug Project
The project is attempting to address a wide range of issues with young people on the
programme. We don not claim to be the solution to these problems but feel our staff are
well placed to make a contribution. The Being Healthy and Staying Safe case studies in this
report illustrate our attempts.
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3.0. Project development (Every Child Matters)
Being Healthy
CHLAMYDIA SCREENING
Being able to offer access to a target audience is one of the attractions for our partners and
one of the strengths of the Kickz programme. If we are going to be successful in moving
the Kickz project beyond a football programme we need the support from the wider
partnership. Having a target audience is of interest to some agencies that need to get their
message across to young people.
A TALK FROM THE OUTREACH CHLAMYDIA WORKER
Did you know that it's estimated that 1 in 10 sexually active young people has Chlamydia?
"It was a good turn-out tonight. I feel it's very important that kids today learn about how
they can protect themselves and also get treatment. Our aim is to better educate children
and make testing/treatment more accessible to them, and do so in a way that's less
embarrassing."
Junior Chlamydia Outreach Worker
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In 2007 65% of Chlamydia, 55% of Genital Warts and 50% of Gonorrhoea cases were
diagnosed in 16-24 year olds despite them making up only 12% of the population (Health
Protection Agency, 2008). With the large numbers of young people aged 16 and over
attending the project at and many of these developing trusting relationships with Kickz staff,
the project has the potential to deliver a wide range of messages. This must be of interest to
the wider partnership.
CHLAMYDIA SCREENING AT WESTMINSTER KICKZ
Here is what some of the young people tested had to say about it:
“I was nervous at first but Junior made the workshop fun and interesting. All of us are
really grateful for it as we know we wouldn’t do a test or learn about it otherwise.”
C K, Kickz Participant
“It was really interesting seeing the demonstrations and learning the facts about STI’s.”
FK, Kickz Participant
“I enjoyed learning about Chlamydia very much. If these people had not come to us I do
not think I would go to a doctor to do a test.”
LP, Kickz Participant
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“I was nervous about doing the test but I learnt a lot from the teachers so in the end I did
it.”
AK, Kickz Participant
“In school or at home nobody really teaches us so this was a good workshop to go to.”
AK, Kickz Participant
“I like this session as it was very interesting. It would be good to go to more of these as we
don’t normally get the chance.”
EH, Kickz Participant
"The staff were also screened. It was important to send the right message to young people
that it’s a serious issue that relates to us as well."
Arsenal Kickz staff
Stay Safe
ADDRESSING ISSUES OF PERSONAL SAFETY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
The ‘Be Safe’ work shop aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying and using
knives and weapons.
There are a number of natural benefits that accrue from sport participation including healthy
exercise and physical activity. The six hours of sport that is offered each week by the Arsenal
Kickz sessions is making a genuine contribution to Sport England’s target of 5 X 30 minutes
physical activity every week and also to the Being Healthy strand of the Every Child Matters
agenda.
Addressing some of the other Every Child Matters outcomes takes far more commitment and
understanding. This is where the Westminster Kickz initiative has attempted to use sport as a
way of engaging young people in conversations around wider social issues they face.
One example of this approach is the way the project linked with the Chelsea
Westminster Kickz scheme at City West Homes. A ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ match was organised
between teams from each project and we bolted on the Home Offices’ Be Safe’ workshop.
Once again the football activity was used as a means of engagement and then we were able to
get some key messages about personal safety across to participants.
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ARSENAL AND CHELSEA KICKZ
“The matches were really good. It’s good the sessions have given us the chance to play
some competitive matches. The work shop made me realise how I need to be more aware
when I’m out on the streets.”
GC, Kickz Participant
“I found it hard playing on concrete, but overall it was good. The idea of a workshop with
football is good because you can get through to more teenagers this way. The pictures tell
a lot and scare you how real it can be.”
PT, Kickz Participant
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WORK SHOP ON KNIFE AND WEAPONS AWARENESS
"The session went very well. The group were attentive and engaging, taking on board the
main points from the work shop."
Charlie Rigby, Be Safe Trainer
“Overall it was a good learning experience and I’m looking forward to the next chance. I
honestly thought that carrying a knife and getting caught with it would only mean the
knife being taken off you with a warning not the possibility of being charged and up to 4
years in prison.”
EH, Kickz Participant
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HIGHLIGHTING THE DANGERS OF CARRYING KNIVES
“It was good, but we needed more time for the game. The workshop was interesting and
now I know what to do when someone pulls out a knife – "DISTANCE.”
OB Kickz Participant
“It was good, but I got annoyed when we started losing and made a few bad challenges. At
half time the coach spoke to me and I took his comments and tried to enjoy the game.”
AK, Kickz Participant
“I don’t think it would have been possible to get the group to this kind of work shop to talk
about knives if it wasn’t linked to the football activity.”
Rosh Mendis, Arsenal Kickz
Enjoy and Achieve
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
It's important to maintain the interest of participants and provide them with the next steps.
Some young people from the Arsenal Kickz project in Westminster took part in a special 2V2
event held at the Emirates Stadium.
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YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYING AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM
A team from the Arsenal Kickz project in Westminster took part in the All Nations
tournament in Walthamstow. As a result we have realised that there is a demand for more
organised matches outside the borough. Groups have visited Arsenal Kickz projects in other
boroughs. Staff took 40 young people by public transport across to Islington for matches
against Elthorne Park Kickz.
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WESTMINSTER KICKZ TRAVELS TO ISLINGTON
“With issues of young people being afraid to travel outside of their area highlighted in the
media at the moment, it is nice to see young people travelling and getting along with other
young people from different areas.”
Arsenal Kickz Worker
"It was bless man. I think we should do this more as it makes us enjoy training and gives
us something to look forward to. I liked meeting people from different areas too."
Ben Opoku, Kickz Participant
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WESTMINSTER KICKZ U15'S IN ISLINGTON
"I thought it was really cool that we were allowed to go and play at another pitch against a
different team. We got to meet some new people who were really good at football. I hope
that we get to do this more often."
Kenny Appiah, Kickz Participant
"It was fun coming out of the area and travelling with the coaches on the train. I think
next time other teams should come to us as we have better facilities and can hold more
teams. I still enjoyed it though. We got to meet other players and coaches which was cool."
Calvin King, Kickz Participant
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WESTMINSTER KICKZ U19'S IN ISLINGTON
The project believes there are many benefits in taking young people outside of the areas they
live. With so much negative publicity in the media about post codes and territorial issues it's
nice to see young people positively engaging with each other.
"It was a long journey to get here but I am glad we came. It felt more professional and we
got to see a different place. I enjoyed playing football against another team who were really
good...even though we beat them."
Romario Edwards, Kickz Participant
"I enjoyed this experience as I think it brought us closer as friends. The other team were
very rough but we played like brothers. The travelling there and back was fun and now we
are looking forward to our next match."
Adriel Kebi, Kickz Participant
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4.0. Young people's stories
Young people's stories
Youssef Harb
Youssef is a participant on the Kickz project at Academy Sport..
The Arsenal Kickz project in Westminster has attempted to support young people on the
programme in a number of ways. Some participants are easy to engage while others take a
little longer.
Providing consistent engagement with postive role models is behind our approach. Youssef is
a good example of someone that is benefitting form the project and the interview below tells
his story of his involvement in the project.
How did you find out about the project?
“I found out about the Kickz project by reading a leaflet, which was given to me by
Academy Sport.”
What were your first impressions of the project?
“I thought it looked like it was well organised and felt like something I could enjoy.”
Before the project what would you do during the times between 4-7pm?
“I would have been on the streets hanging out with friends not doing much.”
How many times would you say you would have attended the Kickz session per week?
“I attend both sessions regularly and try to make sure I don’t miss it.”
What would you say the project has given you?
“Kickz has given me a better future to see other things in life other than football. Going to
visit and play other projects as well as learning about other things like staying safe and
being healthy. It was interesting learning about carrying knives because you don’t realise
how easily it can be turned against you. I enjoyed playing Chelsea Kickz because it was a
different kind of experience and atmosphere. I’m looking forward for my next opportunity
to represent Arsenal Kickz.”
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Have you thought of doing FA Level 1 qualification?
“I’m not sure it might be a possibility, at the moment I’m just enjoying the sessions.”
Do you think you have changed as person since being involved with Kickz?
“I definitely think so. I don’t get as frustrated as I use to, I enjoy taking part and look
forward to the sessions.
What do you think of the facility?
“The facility is great and I love playing under the motorway because even when it rains the
pitch doesn’t get wet. I remember before Kickz started it used to be concrete, which I
didn’t particularly like playing on because it didn’t feel safe.”
So what are your future plans?
“Not sure yet, maybe something to do with football or sport.”
“Youssef use to be a very challenging young person when he started the project. He use to
get into a lot of confrontations with the other young people, which sometimes resulted in
him being both physically and verbally abusive towards them and staff. He would only
engage in the sessions on his own terms. Since then he has dramatically changed his
behaviour and engages well in the sessions. He has developed a good healthy relationship
with his peers and staff for which I would like to congratulate him.”
Arsenal Kickz Worker
YOUSSEF HARB
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5.0. Development and Future Plans
Activities/schemes of work
Due to the large numbers attending the Arsenal Kickz sessions at Academy Sport the project
has focussed on the two football sessions each week that take place on Wednesday and
Sunday evenings.
As part of these sessions there have been a number of matches and tournaments that groups
have taken part in. Arsenal Positive Futures teams visited Academy Sport to play a friendly
fixture against Westminster Kickz teams and groups of young people have been on trips
outside of the borough to Islington and Walthamstow to play in friendly matches and
tournaments.
A trip attended by twenty participants to watch the Brazil V Sweden game at the Emirates
Stadium provided an opportunity for young people to visit Arsenal along with other
occasions where groups have attended stadium tours taken part in the Arsenal O2
Competition where a team represented Westminster Kickz and actually played at the
Emirates Stadium.
Staffing
The project is overseen by a senior member of Arsenal's Community Team with operational
and delivery responsibility shared by a number of full and part time staff. A new member of
staff has recently been appointed as Kickz Co-ordinator with responsibility for Arsenal Kickz
projects across Westminster, Islington and Camden.
Arsenal in the Community is proud of the approach it has adopted to staffing with a rich
history of developing and investing in young people who have graduated from a range of
training and education programmes managed by the department.
This commitment to young people has obvious personal benefits to individuals, looking
beyond these there are also significant advantages to the project and local community. Young
people from the area have good knowledge of local issues, a valuable understanding of other
young people and tend to have a genuine commitment to the work. Of interest to the project
are the positive role models that these young people can become which can lift the aspirations
of peers and other participants. We hope that now the project is establishing itself at
Academy Sport in Westminster we will soon be in a position to provide these outcomes.
Accommodation/facilities
Academy Sport in Harrow Road is the venue for the Arsenal Kickz project in Westminster.
As part of a new academy school the facilities are first class with the project utilising two 6a-side and one 8-a-side artificial pitch each Wednesday and Sunday evening.
The sports pitches are based under a fly over which shields the project from the elements
during the winter months. This enables Kickz to enjoy continued engagement without the
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interruption of cancelled sessions due to poor weather. Access to the facility is controlled by
a secured card entry system and although this requires an extra staff member it does have the
added benefit of providing a secure space.
Partnerships
With the central Kickz teams at the Football Foundation and Metropolitan Police advising
from a strategic level and the impressive commitment that is enjoyed locally, the project is in
a position to be well supported.
The project has benefitted recently with a steering rearrangement. The original steering group
chaired by Westminster Police with responsibility for youth engagement, worked quickly and
efficiently to set up the project and guide initial development. In order to link Kickz to a
wider network of partners Westminster Council has placed the project under the Westminster
Positive Futures steering group which is well established and engages a large number of
agencies.
Westminster police provided initial support and direction which was crucial to the swift set
up of the work at Academy sport. As Chair of the original steering group they have been
extremely supportive and continue to play an important role as members of the new steering
group.
Westminster Sports Development is an essential partner providing local knowledge and links
to relevant agencies and groups. Chairing the steering group they have a crucial role in
guiding the project at a local level and a responsibility to fit Kickz into the wider provision in
the area.
Academy Sport has embraced the Kickz project. Operationally they have worked closely with
Kickz staff as facility provider and have recently committed some match funding to the
project enabling it to continue through to April 2009.
A valuable partnership has been established with Westminster Drug & Alcohol Action Team.
In a piece of cross borough work between Westminster, Islington and Camden a range of
support training has been provided to Kickz delivery staff at the request of the project.
Hungerford Drug Project provided the substance misuse and the Westminster Teenage
Pregnancy Co-ordinator arranged sexual health training at the Emirates Stadium. The
increased awareness for delivery staff has enabled them to engage in conversations with
participants around these issues.
The project would now like to explore further partnership links so that they can provide
appropriate support to the young people attending Westminster Kickz sessions. This is based
upon the experiences of Arsenal in the Community over many years where we have found
that participants who have self referred to the project may also be known to other agencies.
With this in mind and within the appropriate data sharing protocols the project is keen to
discuss opportunities where young people can be better supported.
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Communication and promotion
Information about activities are communicated to young people by leaflets, flyers and word
of mouth. Although attendances are good the project recognises that it needs to do more to
make information available to agencies so that they can take advantage of the provision. Now
that the Westminster Kickz project is part of the established Positive Futures steering group
this should become easier.
Having supported the work of Arsenal in the Community for over two decades the Club's
communications team understand the nature of this type of work and provide essential
support for Arsenal Kickz projects.
The M&E team at Substance are always on hand to advise regarding related issues and with
their expertise within the field of social inclusion, are very well placed to offer advice from
experienced staff.
The regional meetings organised by the central Kickz and police teams provide valuable
opportunities where projects can come together and find out about strategic developments
and share local best practice. This support is coupled with the regular contact that the project
enjoys from both partners and enables Arsenal Kickz to move forward with confidence.
Sustainability and funding
Since September 2007 the Arsenal Kickz project in Westminster has received £40,000 of
funding via the Football Foundation. To encourage long-term sustainability and balance
national and local buy in, Kickz projects now require at least 50% match funding from local
sources to continue.
From September 2008, Arsenal in the community has secured and committed £41,500 of
funding via the Football Foundation to contribute to delivery of Kickz until September 2010.
The City of Westminster has contributed £10,375 of match funding through Academy Sport.
The funding secured to date will allow provision to continue until March 2009. From this
point, further funding is required to match those funds already secured. The Arsenal Kickz
project is therefore looking to secure an additional £31,125 to allow the current level of
provision to continue until September 2010.
To fit into traditional tax years, £20,750 is required from April 2009/10, with a remaining
£10,375 from April 2010/11. This funding will be matched pound-for-pound by funding
committed via the Football Foundation.
Other comments
Arsenal in the Community is delighted that both Kickz projects in Islington have started so
well. Our experience has taught us to adopt a long term view to developing projects like these
and particularly building relationships with young people.
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There is a genuine attempt to take a step away form the activities provided by Arsenal Kickz
and look at the needs of young people on the programme. Engagement in activities is the first
step and once some trust has been established the project can really get into the nitty gritty of
offering support. This can be from all sorts of angles but essentially once a young person
feels someone is taking an interest in them they do tend to respond. Having the right staff
who are able to offer this support is essential and it is important to invest in them as much as
the individuals on the projects.
Arsenal Kickz aims to become an important social inclusion provision within Westminster
and we are working at building this reputation. The partnership can give itself a brief pat on
the back for our efforts to date; however, there is a BUT. There is still an awful lot more to do
if we are going to provide robust evidence that projects like Kickz can genuinely make a
significant contribution to some of the serious issues faced by the young people of today.
Attached Document
CHLAMYDIA SCREENING - NOT JUST SPORT
Young people growing up in inner city areas such as Westminster face many challenges and
the Arsenal Kickz project has a sharp focus on supporting participants as much as we can.
We certainly don't claim to have any solutions but feel our staff are well placed to make
valuable contributions. Our partners help us in this sense, the Westminster Teenage
Pregnancy Co-ordinator arranged Chlamydia screening for young people on the programme.
With almost 20 participants being screened it was a good outcome for all concerned.
"This partnership illustrates the importance of partners working together. Arsenal Kickz
wants to raise such issues with young people and we have a target audience. With the help
of our partners we can hopefully make a small contribution."
Arsenal Kickz Manager
For further details of the Arsenal Kickz project please contact:
Rosh Mendis 020 7697 7380
[email protected]
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