In the latest of our series of winner profiles, we take a look at Essex County Council's ALT-ED Sports Project.
The Alternative Education Centre in Harlow offers a year of special education to 15- and 16-year-old young people who have experienced difficulties with learning in mainstream schools.
The young people may have a variety of different issues, requiring careful and skilled support. Some may have anger management issues, while others may suffer from attention deficit disorders or specific conditions such as dyslexia. The centre has become adept at helping young people in preparations for life after school.
Adjacent to the centre is a sports cage intended for use by both the students and the wider community. In recent years it has become run down and potentially dangerous.
Ten young people from the centre wanted to address the situation. They formed a steering group to tackle the project and raise money to have the cage renovated.
First, the group canvassed the local community for ideas and support, before applying for funding.
When they won a grant from the Youth Capital Fund, they shared out responsibility for making the renovation project happen.
