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EDDY is a youth diversion programme within the Durham Agency Against Crime, (DAAC) developed from the successful Durham Youth Enterprise Scheme (DYES), which has been running for 14 years. DYES recognised the need to develop their existing programme to engage with young people over a longer period of time, in order to effect real changes in attitude and behaviour.
By offering a personal development programme to disadvantaged young people at risk of becoming offenders and those facing exclusion from statutory education, the young people are diverted away from crime and anti-social behaviour. EDDY then helps to develop the individual's social and citizenship skills through enhancing a sense of personal and social responsibility within the young people.
The group received funding from County Durham Foundation to give young people the opportunity to attend a five day residential. Thirty Six young people took part in the residential which gave five days of training in a variety of subjects including drugs and alcohol awareness, first aid awareness, team building skills, communication skills and how to engage effectively with other young people.
Other
activities at the residential concentrated on teaching the young people to
become peer educators and carry out peer-led workshops covering crime, drug,
bullying, racism and environmental issues as well taking part in outdoor activities
such as raft building, hill walking, canoeing and mountain biking.
Thirty of the people who took part are now qualified peer educators and are being used as positive role models and peer mentors throughout County Durham and Darlington. They have also been able to attend four more residentials in their new role and assist group leaders using educational material and training aids to help them to engage with the young people. Group coordinator Andrew Bustin comments:
"This funding has helped EDDY on its way to establishing a core of quality young people who have confidence and the ability to host any young person event or deliver peer workshops on a variety of subjects. EDDY will continually support these young people and will strive to support and help nurture their imagination"
So far EDDY has helped divert 175 young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. Their aim for the future is to continue to provide residentials and workshops to enhance young people's sense of personal and social responsibility, reduce exclusion from statutory education and keep those young people active in their areas by using a Youth Action Group as a focus and centre of reference.
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