Inclusion

For many years Derby County in the Community (DCITC) has recognised that sport and in particular, football, can play a significant role in addressing some of the major social issues that affect some of our most disadvantaged areas. Addressing issues such as anti-social behaviour, community cohesion, health and employment and attainment our DCITC staff deliver a unique, yet interesting session that has gone from strength to strength. Since 2005 the DCITC Hat-trick Project, and more recently the Kickz Project, have tackled these challenging issues in the Derwent ward of Derby with a great deal of success which has resulted in the expansion of such schemes to other parts of the city and county.  As a result DCITC has recognised the benefit of having a co-ordinated strategic approach to Social Inclusion and the potential impact of such work in having a positive effect on under-represented and hard to reach groups.

The Hat-trick and Kickz Projects currently deliver a range of activities designed in increase participation, tackle anti-social behaviour and youth crime, engage people to participate in healthy lifestyles and empower residents to become active in their community.  Since 2005 the projects have engaged thousands of young people in sports and other activities designed to maximise their potential, as well as providing access to qualifications for over 100 local residents, many of whom have gone on to employment or voluntary work through the projects and their key partner organisations.  In total the projects have attracted over £800,000 of external funding into the area including £500,000 from Barclays Spaces for Sport to build the Steve Bloomer ATP on the Racecourse which provides the area with a top quality facility for sporting activity. The vision for the future is to expand these types of schemes to other geographical area identified as being economically and socially disadvantaged. The strategy will be managed by the Social Inclusion Manager who reports directly to the Community Scheme Manager. This Social Inclusion Strategy will set out the specific targets to be achieved over the next calendar year with additional longer term goals with areas for the scheme to focus on over the next five years.  The strategy will be underpinned by the vision and purposes of the DCITC programme and demonstrates our commitment to tackling important social issues in some of our most challenging and disadvantaged areas.

The project will focus on 3 key points in its initial stages; improving the behaviour, attitudes and lifestyles of young people on housing estates and reducing conflict, and working with identified ‘at risk’ young people from by using sport to get messages across regarding issues such as drug misuse, racial awareness and sex education.  Also to engage YP in alternative education eg JFO’s etc + Sports Factor.  The objectives of the project are to reduce levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, address social exclusion and drug misuse and support regeneration programmes in particular areas of need.

The social inclusion project sees the DCITC scheme join forces with Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council as well as District Councils, Derbyshire Constabulary Police, Network Rail, The Football Foundation, Derbyshire County Football Association, and additional local partners to run the programme across the County.

To find out more about our Inclusion Schemes please contact Rich Astle, Inclusion Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it