Kids are vocal about the future (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Kids are vocal about the future

Youth Offending Team award winners Stacey, Ben, Jamie, Garry and Charmaine Ref: 99946-19AFTER being a persistent nuisance, 16-year-old Garry has turned his life around and is now looking forward to a future in music.

Swindon Youth Offending Team took in the teenager to help create a CD as part of the Crimebeat initiative and it was then that he discovered his talent for singing.

Garry, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said: "The team have been great. They called me up one day and asked if I would like to come along. That's how I got into music. I always thought I could sing but I've never heard myself on CD this is the first thing like this I've ever done but now I'm really keen to take it further."

YOT is an organisation working to channel the energies of young people into something positive and it has worked on various support projects, including making videos, T-shirts and a 23ft long graffiti art board.

Now two years on, Garry, from West Swindon, is training with vocational training organisation Taurus and is giving himself a future he thought he never had.

Recognised for their hard work with YOT, Garry and two other past offenders, James and George, received highly commended awards for the national Crimebeat project.

Presented by the former High Sheriff of Wiltshire, James Arkell, the group were applauded for their commitment to the project.

Crimebeat is part of the Jump project in Swindon. Project coordinator Liz Purling said: "These people have made mistakes, but it's just a part of growing up. Now they are able to redeem themselves and make a difference in their own lives and for the community."

James and George also won the award but could not make the ceremony for good reasons one was working full time and the other was back at college.

The young men are not the only youths to be saved by the scheme Stacey, 15, was at risk from being excluded from school when YOT took her in to help with the graffiti board project.

Stacey, from Penhill, said: "The project has really changed my life. I have learnt so much. They taught you how to graffiti legally and not on the streets. I really enjoyed the artistic side of it and realised there are better things to do with my time."

As well as national commendations received for the projects, the team also has plans to release the CD featuring Garry, which has received so much acclaim and all money received will go towards funding future projects and to the youth musicians who have turned their lives around.

To get your copy call, Liz on 01793 823153.

A mother's view

Mum Wendy was particularly pleased with her son, Jamie's progress since he joined the YOT.

"The group has been really supportive, teaching them the difference between right and wrong. They've come a long way and should all be very proud of themselves," said Wendy, 33.

Jamie, 15, was involved in the graffiti board scheme, which Wendy feels has made a marked progress.

"He may act all cool but I know it has made a difference. It has inspired his creativity and made him more focussed even if he won't admit it."

Music can make their world go around

Musician James Eddings was brought in to help the group create the CD that won so much acclaim.

James said: "The whole project has been just phenomenal. It is fundamentally an inclusion program that works to channel concentration into something worthwhile.

"Activities like this are a creative form of therapy and it has really worked. I've been really surprised by how much Garry in particular has come out of his shell. It has been a major boost to his confidence."

The CD worked on different rhythms and beats including drum and bass and hip hop.

James grew up in similar circumstances and believes an association like YOT and Crimebeat is an essential support system to listen to the adolescent and make their opinions heard.

Since the CD initiative ended youths have gone on to higher education, full-time work and work training.

'You can see the difference'

CRIMEBEAT is funded by the Learning Skills Council.

The scheme involves a variety of creative activities to help generate attention and interest in worthwhile activities.

One in particular was the 23ft long graffiti board, which was led by the community group Octobus, whose ethos underlines the entire purpose behind Swindon YOT, which is "Learning for life through creativity."

Jump coordinator Liz Purling said: "We've done a project each year for the past four years and it really makes a difference in their lives.

"None of those involved has gone on to re-offend. You can definitely see a difference."

Victoria Ashford