Sheffield Futures received funding of £10,000 from Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner as part of his 2015/16 Community Grant Scheme.

The cash injection will provide youth work as a vehicle through which to deliver fun and educational groups and activities focused on increasing protective factors for vulnerable girls, reducing anti-social behaviour, and offending.

John Moloughney Project Manager from Sheffield Futures said: “This grant funding will enable skilled youth workers to tackle anti-social behaviour at an early stage by challenging attitude and beliefs, work informally with young people around substance misuse, sexual exploitation awareness, healthy relationships, personal safety, aspirations, and other health issues.

“The centre based provision will also enable specific projects to be undertaken with other professionals to be responsive to specific needs and vulnerabilities as they arise.  Our work around sexual health will enable us to establish a centre that will be used to develop female specific groups to do curriculum work around some of their specific vulnerabilities in the future.”

The project will recruit volunteers and junior leaders to support delivery, providing them with qualifications, preparing them for paid work by increasing employability skills and enabling the community to better help themselves. The project will be promoted by detached youth work currently being delivered in the area.

Dr Alan Billings said:  “It was very interesting to hear of the diverse work Sheffield Futures do in the community.  This funding will target vulnerable people in and around Wybourn and the Manor areas of Sheffield, but I am sure many communities will benefit from the services provided by this organisation.  I wish them well.”

Sheffield Futures is a dynamic, independent charity, supporting communities and helping young people, particularly the most vulnerable, to achieve their full potential in learning, employment and life.

The organisation delivers extensive, open and targeted support to young people and adults around employment, social inclusion, careers, educational guidance and personal development. It helps supports its clients, especially the most vulnerable, to succeed.

Some of the key services provided by Sheffield Futures are Community Youth Teams, who provide multi-agency support alongside partners for young people tackling issues such as risk of offending, drug and alcohol misuse and mental health issues.  There is Sheffield Sexual Exploitation Service – a multi-agency service responsible for tackling child sexual exploitation in Sheffield.

The Young Peoples Involvement Team support Sheffield Youth Parliament and Youth Cabinet to ensure that the voice and influence of young people is placed at the heart decision making locally and nationally and a One Stop Shop provides a single city-centre based resource housing Sheffield Futures services alongside the Youth Offending Service and Permanence and Through Care to create an easily accessible service for young people.

If you would like any further information on Sheffield Futures and the service they provide you can visit their website here http://www.sheffieldfutures.org.uk/