NCJ Number: 192722
Title: Empowering Young People in Rural Suffolk: An Evalaution Report for the Home Office
Corporate Author: University of East Anglia, Women's Policy Research Unit
Date Published: December 2001
Page Count: 58
Sponsoring Agency: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
Publication Number: ISBN 1-84082-778-5
Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
Document: PDF
Type: Program/Project Description
Format: Book (Softbound)
Language: English
Country: United Kingdom
Annotation: The "Empowering Young People in Rural Suffolk" project, one of a
group of local initiatives funded by the British Home Office
Programme Development Unit, targeted youth aged 13 to 20 living
in rural Suffolk and aimed to improve their access to local
services, increase their involvement in civic life and
decision-making, and reduce antisocial behavior.
Abstract: The project initially covered three areas (called patches). Patch
one was to operate for 2 years and patches two and three for 3
years. During the first year of the project there were
innumerable personnel difficulties in patch three that resulted
in both project workers leaving the program, one due to
ill-health. It was decided that this patch should be dropped from
the project, because policymakers believed it would be too
difficult to find replacement personnel. The funding from this
patch was transferred to patch one, enabling it to operate for 3
years and thus finish at the same time as patch two. The
evaluation methodology was qualitative, incorporating
semi-structured interviews, case studies, and non-participant
observation. Over the 3 years of the project, 64 interviews were
conducted with 94 respondents, of whom 41 were adults and 53 were
juveniles. Six case studies of youth were also undertaken. Twelve
interventions were observed. The two patches were developed
differently. One had a mobile van that traveled to villages and
successfully attracted youth to its services. In the other patch,
project workers had no base from which to work and no meeting
place protected from the weather. The project involved
approximately 200 youth over 3 years, and most of the youth
interviewed felt they had been empowered. In several areas, youth
worked for the benefit of others and in fundraising for the wider
community. One formally constituted Youth Forum was formed, and
three youth clubs had youth representation on their management
committees. The mobile van was very successful. This report noted
that if youth participation in the program was voluntary, i.e., no
mandatory referrals to the project, then it was unlikely that the
youth with problem behaviors would participate. The report advised
that rural community projects must involve local adult
decision-makers, because they are such an integral part of village
life. Six case studies help to demonstrate the impact of the
project. 10 appendixes with supplementary information and
activity descriptions and 6 references
Main Term(s): Juvenile delinquency prevention programs
Index Term(s): Community crime prevention programs; Effectiveness of crime prevention programs; Foreign crime prevention; Juvenile delinquency in rural areas; Rural area studies; Rural crime; Youth community involvement
Note: Home Office Research Study 234; downloaded January 7, 2002.
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=192722
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