A Sudbury teen referred to a Babergh District Council programme to divert youngsters away from causing anti-social behaviour has hailed the project that helped him become a success.
Thomas Henry, 14, from Claremount Avenue, Sudbury, was referred to Babergh’s Be Active project after he was identified as having the potential to cause anti-social behaviour when specific problems in the Mayflower Way area of the town were targeted last year.
Now both Thomas and his mum Karen have credited the project, which offers young people who may be at risk of offending a chance to take part in positive leisure activities and access to its volunteer and coach programmes, with getting him back on track.
Karen Henry, Thomas’ mum, said: “The project has led to my children participating in activities which would otherwise be unknown to them and allowed Thomas in particular to use his free time positively.
“Before being able to access the services of Babergh Be Active, Thomas had lots of spare time and would ‘hang out’ with friends in the Woodhall area of Sudbury.
“This attracted unwanted attention from the police, who, understandably, find it anti-social for young people to gather in the street. But before learning about this project I felt there was very little for the young people to do to occupy their time.
“I feel Thomas can now enjoy his teenage years and I’m sure his coaching will have a positive effect on other young people. He has shown that not all teenagers are ‘bad’ and I’m extremely proud of him.”
And Thomas, who is now working towards his Basketball Level 1 certificate and recently picked up an award for ‘Best Leader’, at a Babergh Be Active activity day, agreed: “Babergh Be Active has helped me because I love playing basketball and it has given me the chance to show my skills and teach younger players.
“In the future I would like to become a full-time basketball coach.
“My friends also think the Babergh Be Active project is great because I am able to train other people to play basketball as well as I do!”
Stephanie Lloyd, Babergh’s Be Active Officer, said: “Thomas is just one example of how Babergh Be Active can help in so many ways to reducing anti-social behaviour by giving youngsters a more positive outlet for their time and energy.
“We are all really pleased with how well Thomas has done and are really encouraged that with his hard work and effort other youngsters will be able to benefit through the Cornard Kings basketball team.”
The Cornard Kings basketball team meets every Wednesday from 5pm until 6pm at the Great Cornard Sports Centre. Fee is £3 per session and is open to girls and boys aged between eight and 14 years old. New members can take advantage of a Babergh offer of two free sessions.
For more information on the Be Active project or the Cornard Kings team, please call Stephanie Lloyd, Be Active Officer, on 01473 825834 or email: stephanie.lloyd@babergh.gov.uk or website: http://www.beactive.babergh.gov.uk/.
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