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A year-long Sports Diversion Programme supporting young people in Nottinghamshire at high risk of violence and criminal exploitation has delivered significant improvements in wellbeing, relationships and future opportunities, according to a new evaluation.
The initiative, funded by the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner and delivered between June 2022 and March 2024, combined sport with mentoring, life-skills education and access to training or employment pathways. It engaged hundreds of young people across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
The evaluation, led by Loughborough University for the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Violence Reduction Partnership, found that participants reported better mental and physical health, stronger relationships with peers and trusted adults, improved access to education and employment, and a reduced likelihood of offending.
Four community partners—Switch-Up, 3Pillars Project, Support Through Sport and Trent Bridge Community Trust—delivered the programme’s activities, each using different sports and mentoring approaches to reach young people in diverse settings.
Natalie Baker-Napier, Head of the Violence Reduction Partnership, said the findings highlight the value of early intervention and collaboration: “By bringing together local organisations, mentors and community partners through the universal language of sport, we have created safe spaces where young people can build trust, resilience and ambition.”
Lead evaluator Dr Caron Walpole said embedding mentoring and education into sports activity gave young people “a real chance to change direction and build better futures.”
Community organisations involved in the programme said the results underline the power of sport when combined with targeted support, particularly for young people facing trauma or risk of criminal exploitation.
Although resource-intensive, the evaluation suggests the programme could deliver long-term savings by diverting young people from crime and helping them into positive, stable futures.
The Violence Reduction Partnership will use the findings to inform future investment in violence prevention and youth engagement across the city and county.
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