At the recent Community Partnerships Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, Gosport Community Safety Partnership (GCSP) picked up the Community Youth Initiative Award, for their outstanding ‘Passport Scheme’.
Co-ordinated by Gosport Council’s Community Safety Team, in partnership with around 30 agencies including Gosport Police, Fire & Rescue Services; Motiv8, SEHCO and Solent Youth Action, their aim was to utilise existing leisure resources and communal spaces to provide diversionary activities for 11 to 17 year olds, to deter instances of anti social behaviour.
This was the 2nd year the Passport Scheme had taken place. Held at ten locations, it gave youngsters from every part of the Borough access to activities which included everything from scuba diving, rock climbing and fishing to bungee trampolining and quad biking.
“Holding activities at different locations meant everyone had the chance to attend an event close to where they lived,” said Cllr Mark Hook, Leader of Gosport Borough Council. “But the passport scheme also encouraged youngsters to travel to other locations to take part in different activities with other young people. Those that did had their passport stamped; entitling them to attend a free barbeque organised to mark the end of the scheme.”
“Over three weeks in excess of 700 young people took part, so the popularity of the scheme speaks for itself. It was a phenomenal success and that is due mainly to the partners working closely together and listening to young people’s views. It is vitally important to recognise and understand the type of activities they want. Only then will you gain their support.”
Announcing the winner of the Community Youth Initiative award, Comedian Rufus Hound said, “The winning project is driven by palpable enthusiasm of the core team. This project created something out of nothing, taking a town with almost no provision for young people and creating an annual scheme that provides free activities for local young people and also promotes integration of young people from different neighbourhoods. The judges felt the motivation of the team was inspirational and the project could be replicated in other locations.”
