Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) is a national, cross-departmental programme that was developed in 2003 to engage “at risk” children and young people (eight to nineteen years) in purposeful holiday activity programmes. Government Offices co-ordinated the programme in the regions up to the 31 March 2007.
More information on the national picture
The programme brings together several previous programmes designed to provide activities for young people such as Community Cohesion, Splash and Summer Plus. The PAYP programme aims to:
- Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour both in the short and long term.
- Support young people back into education or training and help them stay there, by working with those at risk of truancy.
- Ensure that young people are supported as they move from primary to secondary school.
- Provide access to quality arts, sports and cultural activities, and allow those with an interest and/or talent in any area to continue after the programme has ended.
- Bring together young people from different geographical and ethnic communities to help break down prejudice and misunderstanding.
- Give young people opportunities for personal development including the development of self-discipline, self-respect and self-confidence enabling them to communicate more effectively with a range of people and work effectively in a team.
- Encourage young people to contribute to their communities through volunteering and active citizenship.
Over £25 million has been provided nationwide to deliver the PAYP programme, with £3.5 million allocated to Government Office for the West Midlands. We are responsible for ensuring the provision of 2,330 full time places for young people at risk in the region, with 10,000 young people participating in activities across the Region in 2003/04.
Partnership working is vital to the success of the PAYP programme, and we are working closely with:
- Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- Department for Education and Skills
- Big Lottery Fund
- Home Office
PAYP is delivered at the local level by Lead Delivery Agents, which in the West Midlands are the Connexions Partnerships. The Lead Delivery Agents bring together a wide range of activity providers including from the voluntary and private sectors.
For more information please contact the Home Office Strategy and Support Team or read the West Midlands PAYP Review.
