Positive Futures

Positive Futures projects provide prevention and diversionary activities for vulnerable 10- to 19-year-olds at risk of drug misuse and offending.

Positive Futures is a prevention and diversionary programme.  Funded by the Home Office, the programme targets and supports 10-19 year olds who are at risk of becoming drawn into substance misuse and crime.  The programme supports young people in moving forward with their lives to achieve their full potential and gives them the change to develop the skills needed to get on to a positive career path and take on roles as active and responsible citizens. 

The programme is managed on behalf of the Home Office by the young people’s charity – Catch22.  The programme is delivered through 91 projects in some of the most deprived communities across England and Wales.  The programme uses a range of activities to engage vulnerable young people such as sport, arts or learning and employment activities. 

In 2010/11, over 57,000 young people participated in Positive Futures and recorded over 37,800 positive outcomes, including improved self-esteem, gaining employment and nearly 10,000 qualifications.

Since 2010, the high-level priorities for the programme include:

• reducing crime
• reducing drug and alcohol misuse
• preventing serious youth violence
• increasing the numbers who enter education or training or employment
• delivering a positive social impact, including community engagement and cohesion
• ensuring 2012 Olympic legacy work drives reductions in crime and drug and alcohol misuse; and
• ensuring outcomes are sustainable

Grant funding opportunity

The Home Office in partnership Catch22 as the managing agent for the programme is inviting applications for grant funding from local voluntary and community sector and statutory sector organisations to deliver a Positive Futures project in the following six areas:

• Birmingham Sparkbrook;
• Birmingham Aston;
• Luton - South Bedfordshire;
• Teesside;
• Tendring; and
• Wandsworth Roehampton

The programme specification, grant application form and the organisational values questionnaire are also now available.

Closing date

The closing date for application is 5pm on Friday 25th May.