Shine: National festival celebrating young people to culminate with Open Weekend of activities
Last updated 01/07/2009 19:25:22
Shine National festival Open Weekend
Elton John famously sang that Saturday's Night's Alright For Fighting, but not if those behind a new government drive have their way.
The scheme will open up activities for young people on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The Open Weekend, on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July 2009, will see young people take part in activities as diverse as playing in a rock band or making pizza.
It's the culmination of a week of activities to celebrate young people through Shine, the national festival to celebrate the talents in all young people taking place for the second time this year between 6-10 July 2009.
Those running the initiative believe it provides a key opportunity for local authorities and their partners to offer more things for young people to do and places to go on Friday and Saturday nights, when young people most want them and communities feel they most need them.
They vast majority of young people say they want more things to do and places to go in their local areas - especially important in neighbourhoods where some might otherwise drift into anti-social behaviour or crime.
Current research shows only around 15 per cent of activities are available on Friday evenings and just 2.5 per cent on Saturday evenings. Where established and popular weekend activities are available, there has been a significant reduction in incidents of anti-social behaviour, by as much as 50 per cent in some areas.
Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Children and Young People, explains: "It's no surprise that young people want and need activities on Friday and Saturday evenings.
"In a recent survey 66% of young people said that more activities would do most to keep them out of trouble. And yet a recent survey of local evening provision showed that only around 15 per cent of evening activities are available on Friday evenings and just 2.5 per ent on Saturday evenings."