This article appeared in Homes & People Summer 2010

A new football team is keeping bored teenagers out of trouble in the west end of Newcastle.

During the spring, staff from Westgate Community Housing Office and Northumbria Police’s Community Support Officers noticed an increase in the complaints they were receiving about teenagers causing a nuisance on the Jubilee estate.  

To find out what they could do to help, the Community Support Officers asked the teenagers why they were getting into trouble – and were told it was because they had nothing else to do. 

The Community Support Officers joined forces with Newcastle City Council's Neighbourhood Wardens and Claire Buglass, YHN’s Housing Services Officer for the estate.  Along with the teenagers, they agreed to set up a football team called the Jubilee Magpies to play in a Saturday morning 5-a-side league. 

The teenagers were offered coaching sessions, a strip and support to keep the team going, as long as they agreed to give something back to the community and stop getting involved in anti-social behaviour. 

YHN provided the teenagers with skips and graffiti wipes and, as part of the deal, the teenagers now spend 45 minutes every Tuesday night cleaning up rubbish and graffiti on their estate before they have their coaching session. 

Claire Buglass said:

“I am absolutely delighted that we have been able help set up the Jubilee Magpies.  The teenagers are making a huge difference to the estate – not only are they improving the appearance of the estate during their weekly clean-ups, they’re keeping out of trouble themselves and reports of anti-social behaviour have dropped dramatically.  I’ve been in regular contact with the teenagers taking part and it’s great to see them feeling proud of their estate.”

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