Get Berkshire Active are proud to be involved in the Royal Borough Windsor and Maidenhead Crime Prevention Program, which focuses on using sport and physical activity to positively engage young people at risk of, or displaying, antisocial behaviour.

A young person on this program, who was referred after his first offence of burglary, began the programme struggling with managing his emotions, particularly anger, and was often susceptible to peer pressure.

Since joining the programme, we worked with him to identify something he enjoys and put the pathway in place with partners to make regular gym sessions possible. This has made a big difference in his ability to manage his emotions and has had a huge effect on his overall mental health.

He shared how the gym has given him a positive outlet for his anger and explained that being active helps him feel more in control of his feelings, his mental health and gives him a space to release tension in a healthy way. He also feels that the gym has now kept him away from negative influences, making him more focused and positive about the future.

His story shows the real impact that sport and physical activity can have on young people at risk and the wider social outcomes that can come with it.