Building safer, stronger communities through sport
Young people living in low-income, under-served communities face real challenges and are more vulnerable to becoming victims or perpetrators of youth crime. Sports-based interventions can help break this cycle and provide the support and mentoring that young people need.
By connecting young people to their communities, and providing them with inspiring opportunities, StreetGames works to tackle the twin issues of boredom and alienation – leading causes of petty criminality and anti-social behaviour. Our highly-qualified tutors and hand-picked local volunteers provide not only structure and expertise but living, breathing proof of the transformational power of sport – redirecting misspent energy and empowering at-risk young people.
We support local community groups to provide a clear alternative support network for those who need it. Our community safety programmes promote a child first, pro-social, preventative approach to youth crime and violence.
Our Theory of Change outlines how and why sport can impact on enhancing positive outcomes for vulnerable young people within the context of youth offending and serious youth violence. The Theory of Change is based on academic insight and theory and has been developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
The Youth Justice Sport Fund was established to use sport as a powerful tool to engage at-risk young people, diverting them from crime and antisocial behaviour. Launched in December 2022, the programme allocated £5 million across 220 trusted community organisations nationwide. StreetGames were proud to partner with the Sport for Development Coalition and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice to deliver this programme – the first of its kind delivered by the Ministry of Justice.
Resources for partners
Using Sport To Provide Safe Spaces For Young People In The Context Of Preventing Serious Youth Violence
This literature review summary presents academic insight for policymakers and practitioners about the role of sport as a safe space for vulnerable young people.
Workforce Competencies And Skills For Practitioners Delivering ‘SportPlus’ Sport-Based Interventions
This literature review summary provides academic insight about the workforce competencies and skills needed for the effective development and delivery of a secondary level Sport-Based Intervention (SBI) (also known as a SportPlus intervention).
Making Referrals – Guidance & Toolkit To Support Locally Trusted Organisations
This toolkit provides guidance on how to put in place a referral pathway for sport interventions for young people at risk of or already involved in offending behaviour which includes serious youth violence.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Kit-Bag
We’ve packaged together some tips and tools to create a ‘kit-bag’ to help community organisations undertake MEL and demonstrate the impact of their work.
Fundraising and Sustainability Toolkit
We’ve put together the StreetGames Fundraising and Sustainability Toolkit to support organisations in strengthening their fundraising capacity and securing long-term sustainability.
1,000 Young Voices research
Learn more about our 1,000 Young Voices Research, capturing the perspectives and insights of 1,000 young individuals from lower-income households, and the seven youth segments created from the findings.
Safeguarding
StreetGames operates with a child and young person-centred approach. We are committed to delivering our activities and programmes with the welfare and safety of all children and young people at their heart.
Impact and insights
“Since starting, it has made me think about my future” – one young person’s boxing journey
Boxing sessions supported by StreetGames and the Thames Valley Violence Prevention Partnership have supported this young person to grow in confidence and make positive choices.
Using Sport To Provide Safe Spaces For Young People In The Context Of Preventing Serious Youth Violence
This literature review summary presents academic insight for policymakers and practitioners about the role of sport as a safe space for vulnerable young people.
Workforce Competencies And Skills For Practitioners Delivering ‘SportPlus’ Sport-Based Interventions
This literature review summary provides academic insight about the workforce competencies and skills needed for the effective development and delivery of a secondary level Sport-Based Intervention (SBI) (also known as a SportPlus intervention).
Youth Justice Sport Fund Programme External Evaluation
Read the findings of our executive evaluation of the Youth Justice Sport Fund, a £5m Ministry of Justice investment designed to boost positive outcomes for vulnerable young people through sport.
News and blogs
Community safety is in StreetGames’ DNA
Our Director for Sport and Community Safety reflects on the impact of the Youth Justice Sport Fund.
The power of sport in preventing youth crime and anti-social behaviour
Our CEO Mark Lawrie OBE blogs about the transformational impact that community sport, delivered in the right way, can have on young people’s lives and the communities they live in.
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