The Aspire Project
PREVENT programme for 13-17 year olds who have offended, or are at risk of offending or criminal exploitation
RESTART programme for 18-21 year olds who have offended and want to turn their lives round
The Aspire Project currently works across Hertfordshire and North London to provide support for young people who have offended, or are at risk of offending or criminal exploitation.
In 2021, we are working with around 40 young people from hubs in Watford, Enfield, Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage, providing the above two programmes for different age groups: 70% on Prevent and 30% on RESTSART.
We are expanding into Leicester, Buckinghamshire and Central Bedfordshire in 2021, supporting 80+ young people overall.
The Prevent
programme
13-17 year olds
In 2021, we will be working with around 60 young people aged 13- 17 years of age who are on the edge of gangs or involved in gangs and getting into trouble and are at risk of acquiring a criminal conviction - something which will considerably blight their lives and futures.
We also work with young people outside gangs and are offending and with young people habitually truanting from school who may be at risk of criminal exploitation and who may have contact with unhelpful individuals or who have difficult home situations.
The Restart
programme
18-21 year olds
Currently works with around 10-12 young people of 18-21 years of age who have committed criminal offences and who recognise the trajectory they are on.
They don’t want a life of crime and to spend their lives living in and out of prison. They need and they want help to find a different roadmap for their lives.
Aspire project aims and outcomes
The main outcome of the project is to help young people to develop the confidence, skills and competencies to find a helpful way forward and make a positive transition to a better life and future.
Safer lives for Young People, away from people who can cause them harm or are a negative influence
Safer Communities as the project reduces anti-social behaviour and negative behaviours
Raised awareness of the danger to themselves and implications of carrying knives. Reduced crime and offending
Raised attainment in education and learning. Reduced truancy. Better access to next steps education
Employment opportunities, work experience and apprenticeships offered from local employers
Increased social engagement, changed behaviours, positive relationships and improved social responsibility
Improved social skills and communication through working together with mentors and skills development sessions
Increased confidence, self esteem and personal development through learning new skills and consistent encouragement
How it works
Referrals come from local authorities, schools, colleges, youth offending teams, attendance centres and other partners.
We begin with an initial assessment, working wherever possible with existing stakeholders including referrers, parents, schools, colleges, other agency partners etc.
We then work with the young person to agree a PATH personal development plan. We work through a process of mentoring, positive relationship building, skills acquisition and therapy to support their achievement of that plan towards independence and a positive future.
Again this is a two year mentoring and personal development programme
with an average input of 6 hours per week per young person.
A story from Aspire
I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for me. If you hadn't walked into the Children’s home that day and talked to me, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I would still be taking drugs, I wouldn’t be in college, and I would have lost my girlfriend
-Aspire Young Person