ABOUT US

This project aims to deliver a comprehensive basketball engagement project in Barking and Dagenham, designed to address critical community issues such as rising youth crime, anti-social behaviour. Over 68 weeks, the project will target young people aged 10-16 from nearby communities to participate in basketball for the first time, using basketball as a catalyst for preventing offending. Balling will include a range of activities tailored to identify and build on existing strengths and protective factors, improve family relationships, build resilience and help children and young people develop a positive identity and future aspirations. Balling will offer extracurricular school sessions, which will introduce our club to the students and foster positive community engagement. Key components of the projects include introducing young people at risk of crime and antisocial behaviour to specialist youth providers, three holiday provision programmes, extra-curricular school activities, and targeted youth community sessions delivered at times when young people are known and recorded by the police as being involved in criminal activity.

 

BALLING will also involve the recruitment of 5 volunteers and supporting 5 young people to obtain accredited coaching qualifications. Through these efforts, the project seeks to create a safer, more inclusive environment while promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being for all participants.