Fusion Success
From Cabinet Member for Quality of Life and Neighbourhood, Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen on 21 August 2008
A Council project set up to get young people from the borough involved in sport is being hailed as a great success, and helping lower youth crime.
The Fusion project began in 2006, and initially focussed on the North of the borough. It delivers over 35 hours of free sport each week to young people aged 10-24. It has recently expanded to the south and rural areas of the borough, and in 2007/08 more than 12,000 young people took part in sessions, including basketball, football, cricket, dance and boxing.
The project focuses on areas that are seen as "crime hot spots", where young people are at risk of anti-social behaviour and since it began, local areas have seen a drop in youth crime.
Castle Bromwich has shown a reduction of 38.11%, and police are crediting the Fusion project as having had a major impact in this area, with less young people roaming the streets.
Other notable achievements include:
- Fusion won the 2007 Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sports Awards for ‘Best Community Project’.
- Sport England has chosen the project as a National Case Study for reducing anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime through sport.
- 27 volunteers are consistently engaged in delivering the project on a weekly basis.
A mobile ‘Street Soccer’ pitch was recently launched to help deliver the project to hard to reach areas where facilities for young people are lacking.
The pitch is open to 10-19 years and will be stopping off at locations around the borough so youths can take part in evening football sessions.
A training scheme for nine unemployed young people aged 18-24 will also be developed during 2008/09. The initiative will give them the chance to gain sports related qualifications with the opportunity of employment at the end.
Cabinet Member for Quality of Life and Neighbourhood Councillor Mrs Diana Holl-Allen said: "We are thrilled with the latest figures, this project has enabled us to do some very effective work with young people across the borough. Fusion sessions have made a positive impact on the quality of life for young people living in Solihull, providing them with opportunities not only to enjoy themselves, but also to further their skills in areas that will benefit them in the future."
For media enquiries only Gemma Shryane 0121 704 6136
Email: gshryane@solihull.gov.uk