Inspirational youth programme given royal backing

A SCHEME to help improve the lives of young people and their communities has gained royal backing.
Special Constable Bobby DevSpecial Constable Bobby Dev
Special Constable Bobby Dev

South Yorkshire Police’s Inspiring Youth Programme has been given the Duke of York’s Community Initiative Award.

The team running the initiative was presented with the honour during a ceremony at the University of Huddersfield by the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Andrew Coombe.

The Inspiring Youth Programme is one of only 42 schemes across Yorkshire to receive the award. 

Following the presentation in Huddersfield, the team behind the programme and a student who has undertaken each level of the award were invited to St James’ Palace in London on Tuesday to meet Prince Andrew.

Special Police Constable Bobby Dev, project co-ordinator and one of the founding members, said: “This is yet another milestone in the Inspiring Youth Programme that has grown over the years and now operates in schools across Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley.

“It also works with independent groups bringing communities together and preparing young people to look to the future, exploiting all the opportunities offered to them.  

“The programme, which was set up 12 years ago by volunteers from within the force, was developed with the purpose of providing teenagers with the opportunity to become involved in and work on different projects to improve their personal performance in school, at home and in the community.

“2016 has been the most successful year to date and has seen students visiting the Houses of Parliament in London and those interested in pursuing a career in Law visited the Crown Court in Sheffield where senior judges have volunteered a mentoring programme for them.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Inspiring Youth Programme can visit http://www.southyorks.pnn.police.uk/Inspiringyouth.