Although the Lambeth Summer Projects Trust are a voluntary organisation they are the largest crime diversion summer youth activities provider of their kindin the Borough of Lambeth and probably the largest community / Police scheme of their kind in London. The Projects receive no statutory funding and are totally dependent on donations and grants given by those who recognise their value. Without the tremendous good will and backing of the Metropolitan Police and the hundreds of volunteers who give their valuable free time there would not be the staff to run such professional Projects.

This unique partnership stems from the late 1980's when, because of volatile unrest in the Norwood area, it was necessary to defuse tension and promote better community relations especially targeting young people. The Police and local community combined to provide the first Summer Project.

The Projects provide a wide-ranging four-week programme of activities during the school holidays at three sites throughout the borough and include a variety of indoor and outdoor sports together with workshops, involving computers, video & photography, dance, music, drama and arts & crafts. Trips out include sailing, ten-pin bowling, archery, rock climbing, canoeing and museum visits.

The Lambeth Summer Projects aim to break down barriers, real or imaginary between Police, young people and the wider community:

By promoting good citizenship and reducing the potential for young people to commit crime by introducing them to credible ways in which they can constructively use their leisure time;

By helping to build positive and continuing relationships between

the community and young people in order to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour, and promote a reduction in the fear of crime;

To enhance awareness of the needs of young people by promoting partnership between statutory, voluntary, private sector agencies and organisations to encourage their active involvement in local youth initiatives.

The Project's programme content aims to challenge stimulate and interest. In keeping with the Project's themes, the compter workshop programme includes the issues of Gang Culture, Anti-Street Robbery, Burglary, Bullying, Graffiti, Litter, Truancy, Racism, and Drugs & Alcohol Awareness and embrace issues of the environment and people's quality of life. The young people will describe their thoughts or ideas of the above themes through computers, drama, arts & crafts, dance and photography.

THE TRUST
The Trust was formed in 1992 specifically to distance the Metropolitan Police Service from handling financial matters relating to the Projects.

The allocation of funds is the responsibility of the Trustees who ensure that all donations are used in a correct and accountable manner and are only used for the purposes for which they were made