Building Lives - Intensive Intervention Project (Bliip)

Funding: A share of £13m allocated by the government's Youth Taskforce

Aim: To prevent young people entering into gang lifestyles

A scheme that will help prevent young people entering into gang lifestyles has been launched in Birmingham.

The pilot project, Building Lives: Intensive Intervention Project (Bliip), is the first of its kind in the city and aims to help 100 young people aged between 10 and 19 years over the next two years. It involves them taking part in mandatory activities aimed at steering them away from gangs, which can include courses on literacy and numeracy skills, self-awareness, confidence building and conflict resolution.

Further optional courses allow young people the opportunity to take part in sports coaching, music training or even employment skills. Those deemed at risk of potentially getting involved with gangs can be referred to the service by partner organisations, with more than a dozen being accepted so far.