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At a cost of just over £1,000 per person, the Programme has proven 'value for money' in supporting young people who mainstream provision has failed and risk becoming a drain on ever scarce resources. Wider impacts are likely to include issues such as worklessness, health, crime and anti-social behaviour.
Most importantly, the young people themselves are now more likely to achieve their aims and become contributing members of society; helping break a chain of deprivation, which has become all too familiar in Stoke on Trent.
Wider Impact Consultancy has been looking for the 'magic dust' that has made this pilot Programme a success. There are a number of ingredients, which can only be found by visiting the young people at Stoke City Football Club:
- An aspirational sporting environment
- Commitment from the Club, with access to superb facilities
- Committed and well trained support staff, who are willing to travel that 'extra mile'
- Respect for the young people, who are treated as young adults
- A positive atmosphere of mutual trust and self-belief
- A programme that listens and is flexible to the needs of NEET young people
- Challenges that test and motivate young people who have been let down for most of their young lives
12. Conclusions
There is no doubt that the Stoke City Football Club Stoke Challenge Programme is achieving objectives.
Of the 24 NEET young people who enrolled on the Programme in February 2007, 75% have either gained employment, are enrolling in college, or undertaking further education or training. None of the young people who dropped out will be forgotten, as they have been picked up by the Connexions Division Team.
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