Let's join the club

Clubs to keep teenagers busy during the summer holidays are a tried and trusted way of keeping young people off the streets and out of trouble. Successful schemes have cut young crime by up to 11 per cent. The new £25m national scheme - Positive Activities for Young People - launched by Estelle Morris, the Arts Minister, aims to go one better by offering sport, music and charity work for young people aged eight to 19 during Christmas, Easter and the summer. Whereas some previous schemes have left young people to flounder once the holidays are over, this new initiative is to be welcomed for giving every disaffected youngster help from youth workers who will ensure that all students return to school refreshed after the holidays.