Lambeth X-it project scoops top national award

Lambeth's X-it programme, which offers young people an alternative to gang life, has won the prestigious children's services award in the Guardian newspaper's Public Services Awards.

The ground-breaking programme works directly with young people at risk of gang membership.

It uses intensive support through group work sessions, residential courses and leadership programmes to develop self-awareness and empowerment amongst young people and helps them make positive choices.

An evaluation of the programme showed that 72 per cent of participants (18 of 25 young people) had desisted from offending during their involvement with the programme.

The programme, run by Lambeth Council's Children and Young People's Service, has also developed close working links with a number of agencies including the police, community safety teams, tenant associations, youth workers and, most importantly, the young people themselves.

Fundamental to the programme is that it is led by the young people themselves. They go through the programme and are then encouraged to become peer mentors for other young people.

X-it was highlighted in the recommendations made in Home Affairs Committee report, Young Black People and The Criminal Justice System.

The report said successful gang exit schemes at a local level like X-it are the best means of combating the influence of gang culture and peer pressure.

For more details please contact Junior Shabazz, Head of Service - Youth Support Services on 020 7926 2676 or JShabazz@lambeth.gov.uk.