Write a commentPSNI officers from Newry Neighbourhood Policing Team, in partnership with sponsors Norbrook, launched the Norbrook Pointer Project at Stormont last month.
The project is run in partnership with the Prince's Trust and is delivered to youth clubs throughout Newry and Mourne with participants aged between 13 and 25 years old.
The focus of Norbrook Pointer is to enable young people to realise their own potential and divert them from antisocial behaviour and crime.
The scheme runs throughout the year and participants receive a Pointer Passport which is marked with evidence of their activities. Participants receive points for attendance, activities and volunteering. Points are deducted if participant's behaviour at school, at the club or in the community is unacceptable.
At the end of the course participants must have a certain number of points to enable them to go on a trip. In previous years, participants have travelled to New York, USA.
The project covers the following topics in youth clubs:
Personal Development - aimed at improving personal and social skills and helping young people to understand themselves and others better and to engage in social and educational situations.
Ready for Education - This area aims to help young people prepare for further education, by identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The NORBROOK Leaders of Tomorrow initiative will mentor and develop interview skills alongside presentation and work experience areas.
Youth Council – A youth council will be created for each area, establishing itself as a voice for youth in the area.
Speaking at the launch, E District's Service Delivery Superintendent Sam Cordner, Newry NPT, explained: "This scheme has been a real success over previous years and now, with the sponsorship of Norbrook and Parker Green International, we are confident that we can offer young people in our local area the opportunity to develop their potential and reach as high as they can.
"The scheme is about giving youths a chance to show what they can do with the proper support, advice and leadership. It also provides us with the opportunity to build relationships with young people in our local communities that will develop and grow and promote partnership working in the future.
"Norbook Pointer was recently awarded the London 2012 Inspire Programme Mark and will be participating in a number of events in the run up to the Olympic Torch run in Newry at the beginning of June."
Sharon Doran, Norbrook, commented: “Norbrook Laboratories Ltd is committed to supporting the ongoing development of young people, many of whom will become our business leaders of the future. We work closely with schools, colleges and universities to help enhance educational and employment opportunities available to them. Our support of the Pointer Youth Project is an extension of our commitment to young people and we would encourage young people in the local area to seize the excellent opportunities offered by the Norbrook Pointer Project.”
Also speaking at the launch was Karen McKevitt, MLA who hosted the event “I am delighted to launch Norbrook Pointer Project, a community led youth project involving the PSNI Neighbourhood Policing Team and community groups from Newry and Mourne. The initiative began two years ago and instantly attracted the imagination of the private, public and voluntary sector who joined together to support and promote the project. As we all know youth clubs are the heart of every community and it is great to the Neighbourhood Policing Team engaging with our young people through these organisations. The interest in joining the project continues to increase as other young people learn of the experiences and opportunities available to those involved with Norbrook Pointer. This is exactly the type of project that I want to endorse. I believe the fact that Chief Constable Matt Bagott and Justice Minister David Ford took time from their busy schedules to attend the launch speaks volumes.
Superintendent Sam Cordner said: “We are delighted to be launching the 2012 Norbrook Pointer project and can pay testament to the work these groups are doing with young people to ensure they do not get caught up in crime or anti-social behaviour. Supt Cordner paid tribute to the work of Constable Ruairi Cousins and the Newry Neighbourhood Policing Team together with the Business and Voluntary Sector that are committed to driving this initiative forward. I would like to thank Karen McKevitt MLA for hosting the event and for her continued support."
If you would like more information on the Norbrook Pointer project you can contact Newry Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 600 8000.
The Norbrook POINTER Project in partnership with the Prince’s Trust is delivering to the following Youth Clubs in Newry & Mourne:
Barcroft, BOSCO, Greater Belfast Road, Ballyholland, Kingdom, Glasdrumman, Burren and Warrenpoint
These clubs are currently delivering the Prince’s Trust XL Programme in order to improve the life chances of young people at risk of offending and anti-social behaviour.
