The team from AFC Fylde Community Foundation have been tackling a fresh challenge.

Supported by the National League Trust, the Foundation have been running an innovative programme aimed at tackling and improving the behaviour of local young people.

The Positive Pathway Early Intervention programme focuses on promoting a more positive attitude. Already achieving great success, the programme raises awareness in young people of the consequences of challenging behaviour in the community.

Young people are referred on to the programme by various partners such as Fylde Police, the Young Peoples Service, and local high schools, or when they recognise they may have a problem, they can self-refer.

As a result, the Foundation has now worked with more than 100 young people who have either committed low-risk offences in the community or are at risk of committing offences.

The Foundation’s early intervention programme has two key aims. Firstly, it encourages behaviour change through mentoring and then it goes on to support the young people to transition this back in to the community through the power of sport.

Foundation Extended Services Lead Chris McNally has been working closely with the young people taking part on the course and is delighted with the success the Foundation are seeing.

He said: “Positive Pathways Early Intervention is a fantastic programme. It’s something I take great pride in delivering throughout the community.

“Young people join us who are at risk of committing offences in the local area. Through the work and sport we deliver we see a real difference in them as they transition back into the community.

“The programme is going from strength to strength and I’m very confident the positive results we are seeing will only get better.”

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