Blue Light Young Leaders Project

Young people, keen to help their local community and postively engage with their local police, are about to embark in new roles that will give support to the emergency services.

The Blue Light Young Leaders will soon be taking part in a bespoke training programme by the University of the First Age (UFA). The programme covers: an introduction to social action for young people, services for younger children, older residents and vulnerable adults; improving outdoor spaces for people and fundraising for local projects and amenities that improve lives.

The young leaders, alongside officers from Aston Neighbourhood Team, will engage with members of the public, to reduce the burden on the local neighbourhood team allowing them to focus on demand reduction and other areas of policing.   They will aid the team to cover local events such as the forthcoming Milad Festival in Aston Park, and patrolling crime hotspot areas of their community and offer reassurance and advice in relation to crime prevention and security on Aston Villa match days. 

Their roles will also include supporting West Midlands Ambulance Service by offering basic First Aid and First Aid awareness to both members of the community and within their local schools.  They will also attend schools and youth clubs in order to engage with young people within the community and educate them around issues that affect young people in their area.

Police and Crime Commission David Jamieson said:  “It is great to see young people who have shown promise and dedication, and want to have an active part in building safer communities.  I am pleased to support this project through an award from the Proceeds of Crime Act fund.  It will develop their skills further and actively engage them into supporting other the young people.” 

Sergeant Michele Birch said:  “The 14 young leaders will work with the neighbourhood policing team for Aston & Newtown.  The local policing team will oversee the project and work with them  to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and address issues that are of concern to young people in our community.  Aston and Newtown are hard to reach communities and regular engagement with young people in our area is important as very often they are the unheard voice.  Blue Light Young Leaders will facilitate this engagement and provide the opportunity for young people to positively engage with us.  This is young people working with us, addressing issues that are important to them.”