Fairplay, Birmingham Run by the national charity Fairbridge at their West Midlands branch, the Fairplay project aimed to re-engage young people in learning at the same time as developing their basic skills. All Fairbridge branches are based in disadvantaged urban areas, which are affected by a range of social problems such as crime, drugs and high unemployment. The Birmingham branch is situated in an area with the highest burglary rate in the UK and the east side of Birmingham has some of the highest deprivation scores of all council areas throughout England. Last year, 170 young people were involved with Fairbridge. Fairbridge clients are referred from a range of local agencies, such as drug rehabilitation units, education welfare and schools, probation and youth offending teams. Only around five per cent of individuals involved in Fairbridge West Midlands are self-referrals. Their first experience is a five-day access course, which includes a wilderness expedition aimed to build confidence and trust and encourage team working. After that, individuals take responsibility for developing their own programme of learning, selecting from a wide range of options and projects. The ACLF funding allowed Fairbridge West Midlands to introduce a learning activity based around participation in a football team. Individuals were encouraged to get involved in Fairplay as one of their initial learning activities within the overall Fairbridge experience. Described as a 'roll-on, roll-off' activity, it was anticipated that most participants would stay for a few weeks/months before moving on to more intensive learning experiences (eg Learn to Earn business projects or courses in IT skills). Learners were responsible for managing the team and arranging fixtures with other local youth teams. Football kit and training facilities were funded by the ACLF and a member of staff was provided to oversee the project. A basic skills element was introduced as individuals were required to draw up team sheets, measure and record their weight, and work out fitness programmes for use in the gym. Another key aspect of the work for some individuals, was learning to manage their behaviour and emotions - stepping out of line on the pitch meant being sent off. These lessons could then be transferred and applied to other situations and aspects of their life. The fitness element of the project was found to be particularly useful in working with drug users. Watching their peers run around the pitch for the whole session soon brought home the effect of drugs on their own health. The work is ongoing and is now embedded within the activities on offer at the centre. A magazine project covering the progress of the team was another spin off, allowing individuals less interested in playing football to engage.

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