WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID/PROJECT REFERENCES:

The response to the project from professionals and young people alike has been overwhelmingly positive. Below are examples of feedback received to date:

R. Grayson, Senior Teacher (Sutton Place Safe Centre)
As the course aims to help young people make the right choices in relation to drugs and crime, the use of facilitators who have genuine credibility reinforces the message strongly and should be particularly effective with 'street wise' teenagers who are attracted by the supposed glamour of a life of crime.

T. Kelly (East Riding Youth Offending Team)
"Speaking recently with 2 young people both stated that the programme 'makes you think about your future and about walking away instead of getting involved with any trouble with your mates'. These 2 young people were heavily involved in criminal activities and since the start of ISSP 6 months ago they have not re-offended and both claim that the Hull Mentoring Project has made them think more than any programmes the Youth Offending Team have worked with them on."

J. Brown, Hull ASBO Team
“…considering we were working with some of the worst non attender’s on the estate , approximately 70% of them attended the weekly sessions. Each pupil commented how much they enjoyed it and even asked if it could be continued. Two of the pupils involved who were repeatedly causing anti social behaviour and not attending school are now engaged with school and have not been reported to us as involved in any incidents”

J. Glover (Hull Youth Offending Team)
Overall I think it would be true to say the whole course was motivating, inspiring and had a very positive impact on our young people who thought crime was "something to do".

R. Grayson, Senior Teacher (Sutton Place Safe Centre)
“The standard of behaviour exhibited by a difficult, mixed age and ability group speaks volumes for the way you captured their interest. Generally, they (young people) choose not to see any downside to their chosen lifestyle… making it very difficult to discuss this with them. It is very easy for young people to ignore the advice of someone who they feel knows nothing about it……This could well have been the first time some of these young people questioned their choice of a criminal lifestyle”

Young Person (Hull)
"It has taught me that I have got to keep my head down and not keep dabbling in petty crime. I didn’t think about how easy it is to get sucked into crime and it isn’t going to give me a good life”

YP (Hull)
"Whereas before if a mate told me to get in a TWOC (stolen car) or do other stuff I just would.... now I'd think again".

YP (Hull)
"Its made me think that crime doesn't really pay... Its better to work for your money because crime isn't an ideal lifestyle. Sometimes you don’t relise what you’re getting into.