In a new £10 million scheme, “uniformed” youth clubs will be set up in 400 urban areas

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....couts-and-guides.html

It's got to be start, but will this type of thing provide the answer?

The report states that scouting etc are mainly 'middle class activities.

/// Andrew Stunell, the communities minister who has identified 11 areas that would benefit from the clubs, said: “If you go into middle-class areas you find middle-class scout groups and other uniformed youth clubs, but if you go to Tottenham they are much thinner on the ground. ///

As far as I know Scouting groups have been set up for years in all towns, villages and cities areas, and have received no government funding, they have been run on a voluntary basis on voluntary funds.

[Mick-Talbot]

M-T

Are you saying that because your kids have no interest in joining a scout group, that NO kids are interested in joining a scout group???

Seriously?


I haven't bothered reading the rest of your post, sp.

Of course not, why on earth would I think if my kids have no interest in the scouts no kids at all will have interest in the scouts?

I base my opinions on running and helping run football, boxing clubs and meeting teenagers and knowing what makes them tick. Let me tell you, it isn't scout groups.


Now, I will read the rest of your post......

[Brenden]

Or even some encouragement from the parents to spur them on.

[webbo3]

Its a bit late, thanks to nu-labour a boys club, one of the best in the country, (Bedminster Down boys club here in Bristol), i use to attend and later helped staff was shut down because it refused to accept girls, every christmas the club would put on a show for the old people in the community and they would all get a christmas box as they left, the kids were off the streets, we had a cottage in wales where we would go rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing and lots of other outdoor pursuits.

we also put on shows at the Bristol old vic and the show was even aired on the bbc, the club had a gym, weightlifting, pool and snooker tables.

we would have visits by people like..Frankie Vaughn, Dave Prowse, and Compo.

And now the club is ....a pile of rubble and the local boys have nowhere to go.




Dave.

[Graham-W]

I'm afraid images of Nazi Youth keep coming into my head.
Must try not to be so cynical.

[eyethenkyew]

"..seven year olds aren't generally in gangs yet."

I should think not. Because any parent/guardian of one who was ought to be dragged across hot coals by the toe nails!

However, that's half the problem, isn't it? Yes, there's always an exception to the rule who'll turn out to be a rebel, but I passionately believe that the example set by parents or guardians in a child's early and formative years will undoubtedly help shape the sort of adult they grow into.

It seems, only because I've heard it said numerous times, that lots of black kids in particular come from homes where they don't have any stability in that respect, and they appear to fall prey to 'peer pressure'(I hate that expression). So, before you know it, they're totally out of control and take the easy way out by conforming to what loads of their mates are doing - i.e. a life of crime.

Not all whites by any stretch are fine upstanding citizens from an early age, it just has to be said that the vast majority of gang members who are portrayed in the media are black. That's no criticism towards black people, negative though it is.

[pdq1]

Hitlers youth movement started this way and look how successful it turned out to be!

[sp1814]

M-T

You can tell why your previous post confused me, can't you?

[sp1814]

ETY

Don't you think what you have posted is an excellent argument FOR these youth clubs?

[Mick-Talbot]

No , do expand

btw ... kids ?

[mike11111]

When Baden-Powell wrote his book "Scouting for Boys", it became a
the equivalent of a gay Baedeker.

[DaisyNonna]

Unfortunately you need to interest the children whilst they are too young to join gangs. Also too young to be able to find out about opportunities in their area and then to get themselves to the meetings, be it sport, drama, scouting or purely social. Not many clubs for pre-teens. Parents have to be responsible for getting their children involved. How do you solve that problem?

[Mick-Talbot]

In a new £10 million scheme, “uniformed” youth clubs will be set up in 400 urban areas with high crime and deprivation rates



You can't see a downside , sp ?

Who is going to buy these kids from deprived areas their uniforms?

£10 Million Scheme , sounds good doesn't it?


£25,000 ..... lol I will order the wood for the Bradford scheme, I assume they will be starting in a hut ?

[sp1814]

Dasiynonna - that's exa fly what I mean...get the kids interested in these groups at an early age. That would mean advertising the groups at junior schools. Having scout leaders come into the schools to speak about what the clubs can offer.

M-T...when I was at school, there were kids whose parents couldn't afford school uniforms for their children. If they passed a means test, they got a voucher for uniforms. Perhaps the same process could be applied to scout uniforms.

Also, I don't think anyone is saying that this is the one and only answer to the gang culture issue. A concerted effort will be required by parents, schools, sports associations, the social services, probation services, police and community leaders to tackle the problem.

And not forgetting the kids themselves...ultimately, it's their responsibility to choose the right path...I'm thinking that this scheme is a step in the right direction.

Alternatively, we could be cynical, and say "It'll never work" and not try it. But what's the 'up side' of that?

[anotheoldgit]

I am pleased to see that eyethenkyew's Saturday 18:45 has not yet been branded a racist answer, because that it is certainly not.

It is like a breath of fresh air has drifted over AnswerBank, and someone has not been afraid to tell it like it is.

This is the one problem in our multicultural country, for far too long both the media and the police have been treading on egg shells in case they offend one group or the other, and instead of creating harmony between the various groups it creates dissatisfaction which bubbles under the surface and so creates tension.

[sp1814]

AOG

What are your thoughts on the question you posted?

[sp1814]

I ask because your last post was about a cometely different topic.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// I ask because your last post was about a cometely different topic. ///

No, my last post was appertaining to this topic.

[sp1814]

AOG

How is that pertaining to the question about setting up scout units in inner deprived areas???

You refer to a post from yesterday saying "Isn't it good that no-one has called the poster a racist", and then segued into a comment about the media and the police.

I don't understand the connection between that and funding for scout groups in areas where they don't currently exist.

Also, what's YOUR take on the story? Do you think the money would be better spent elsewhere, and is so, how?

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// What are your thoughts on the question you posted? ///

I have already posted my thoughts on this question but I will add further.

Since the Scouts movement is firmly based on Christian and patriotic beliefs, do you really think that some youngsters will be interested in joining such a movement.

If one needs proof on my Christian and patriotic statement, one should attend a Scouting movement's yearly St George's Church Parade.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// Do you think the money would be better spent elsewhere, and is so, how? ///

Money cannot change 'Mindsets'.

If the youngsters are willing to join these groups then their parents will be only to willing to take them along to an existing group so as to join or even get their name down to wait for a vacancy.

Various governments past and present have created the problems that we are experiencing today, and they think by dishing out cash, relieves them of their responsibility.