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Warwickshire has reason to be Positive about Young People

Young people from across Warwickshire have performed at a ceremony for the county’s youth organisations.

Young people from a youth club in Warwick were just some of the performers who took part in the the Positive about Young People Partnership Celebration, which celebrated the many opportunities that local organisations give to young people across the county.

Tara Blackburn 15, Coral Deas 14 and April Buttrick 16 from Warwick Racing Club performed their own rap song and dance routine at the event. Their rap ‘Days gone by’ is about life before they started using the youth club when they spent time hanging around. Jim Wright of Warwick Racing Club said: ”Getting involved with Warwick Racing club really helped and gave them a different perspective.”

Their performance took place at Bedworth Civic Hall, as part of a showcase of initiatives for young people, which tackle youth disaffection and prevent crime through positive activities. As well as football, Warwick Racing Club FC offers 8-16 year-olds a youth club, a homework club, holiday activities and a wide range of sports including boxing and pool. The club is one of Positive about Young People’s key partners.

Positive about Young People (PaYP) is a partnership between Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police. The programme helps thousands of young people by giving them something positive to do and feel part of their communities. Last summer alone, ‘Positive about Young People’ ran over 60 summer holiday programmes in sports, music, IT and more, which benefited thousands of young people across the county including those with special needs.

Michael Maguire, Head of Positive about Young People for Warwickshire County Council, said: “We want to celebrate the exceptional contribution and dedication of our partners in helping to change young people’s lives for the better through positive activities. Young people are at the forefront of all that we do and we are pleased that so many of them agreed to join in our celebration through their performances.”

Positive about Young People has a number of partners including the police, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, Crimebeat, Prince’s Trust, Youth and Community Service, theatres, schools, PODs, and other community organisations involved with young people.