The National Youth Agency: Comment - More than 'bats and balls'

29 July 2008 1 min read Viv Mckee

A good old-fashioned Canadian community worker raised a challenge very relevant in the current context. He said that when we come to young people who have the most troubled lives we have to offer them a path out and on into "security", rather than the sticking plaster of occupying and containing them. He advocated more than "bats and balls."

This is at the heart of positive activities. By 2020 all young people are entitled to participate in positive activities, because such participation will improve their life chances. Those of us who are charged with making this happen must ensure that both "positive activities" and "participation" are real in young people's terms.

"Positive activities" is a very fashionable phrase at the moment, at least among adults charged with the responsibility for planning and delivering services. Oddly enough, you don't find many young people popping down the road for a "positive activity experience" - "Off to see my mates", "Have a laugh", "A good time" - are among the more likely expressions you'll hear.

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