Wigan Athletic helps youngsters build confidence and improve their behaviour

Wigan Athletic helps youngsters build confidence and improve their behaviour

Wigan Athletic Community Trust have been working across Wigan & Skelmersdale to support youngsters with anti-social behaviour and help them build new skills. Latics support hard-to-reach youngsters in need of one-to-one support. Working across Wigan and Skelmersdale, the programme has worked to help teenagers through targeted intervention. Launched in March 2020, the DIVERT programme was commissioned by the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network.

Through the DIVERT programme, the Wigan Athletic Community Trust have worked to support young people in need of one-to-one support. Running in partnership with the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network (LVRN), the programme has utilised, workshops and enrichment activities to enhance the life chances of youngsters and build their confidence and skills for the future. Led by Youth Engagement Office Alex Hope O’Conner, the programme has had a major impact on participants’ behaviour and attitudes.

“An increase in confidence is a big one. Obviously, on the back of everything that’s been happening over the last few years, that’s a big tool we want to push with them.”(…) “Beyond that, it does come down to behaviour change. A lot of these young people do experience anti-social behaviour or get involved in crime. So for us, it’s about steering them away from that.”

Youth Engagement Office Alex Hope O’Conner

Mason, one of the participants on the DIVERT programme has seen the positive impact of the programme on his own attitudes and behaviours first-hand.

“First of all, I was really naughty. And then when I’ve joined these sessions, I’ve realised, if I keep being naughty, I won’t end up good in life. So, I’ve changed my ways.”(…) “I’ve learnt not to be arrogant, and I’ve learnt to not be dead inappropriate and stuff like that.”

Mason, Programme participant

Latics are one of several Community Club Organisations across Lancashire delivering the programme, which first launched back in March 2020 after the success of the project in London. Police Chief Inspector Dave Oldfield, who works with the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, emphasised the importance of the programme and partnerships with Community Club Organisations.

“One of the reasons we work with the Community Trust is because of the passion that they show for these young people.”(…) “From my perspective, to work with people who’ve got such high levels of enthusiasm is half the battle won already.”

Police Chief Inspector Dave Oldfield