Andy Preston visits BIB

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston recently visited the Boys in Blue group at Community Ventures, based in Thorntree, to talk about his recent ADHD diagnosis, a topic that some of them could relate to. Each week the group goes from strength to strength, empowering the boys through collaborations with Youth Focus North-East and Cleveland Police.

Boys in Blue is an initiative set up to encourage boys aged 10-14 to come together in a safe environment to talk, make friends, and have fun. There is a focus on reducing violence and promoting positive mental health along with a variety of activities on offer including cookery, sports, arts etc. Sessions run on Thursdays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm every week and are open to all boys from the area. The group was initially set up in June in partnership with PCSO Lindsey Blackburn and has gone from strength to strength with a regular number of boys attending each week. Parents from the group say it is an incredible initiative that their boys love doing each week.

“What you all do is fantastic!”

Andy Preston, Mayor.

Thanks to recent funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s new Serious Violence Fund and Cleveland Fire Brigade’s Arson Reduction Fund, Boys in Blue is now running with the aim of protecting young people from becoming involved in any serious violence and arson attacks Andy Preston commented “what you all do is fantastic, I loved the visit.”

 After the Mayor’s discussion with the group, they all took part in Beat the Street with Co-ordinator Lauren Clark. Beat the Street is a fun, free initiative aimed at transforming Middlesbrough into a giant game with great challenges and prizes available, by getting everyone to walk, run, cycle as far as they can over 6 weeks. It is a great way to get young people out in the fresh air and exploring their local area which improves their health and wellbeing and complements the work of Boys in Blue brilliantly.