Positive Futures

Positive Futures is a national sports-based social inclusion programme that uses sport as a tool to engage with young people at street level. It aims to build self-esteem, develop social skills and encourage regular participation in sport and physical activity.

The programme was launched in December 2002 with 13 Suffolk wards, including seven in Ipswich, selected to host the project.

The Suffolk project works in partnership with a range of organisations including:

• Ipswich Borough Council (Team Ipswich);
• Ipswich Town Football Club;
• Sport England;
• St Edmundsbury Borough Council;
• Suffolk County Council;
• Suffolk Drug Action Team;
• Suffolk Police;
• Suffolk Sport;
• Suffolk Youth Offending Team.

Following an assessment in 2009 by Substance, an external social research company specialising in the areas of sport and youth inclusion, the Suffolk project was one of only 15% of the nationwide projects to be presented with a Gold Award.

For further information on the Positive Futures Project in Ipswich call Project Worker Paul Knight on 07717 290545.