Spotlight: Supporting young people through physical activity in Redcliffe
The Redcliffe Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) operates in a beautiful coastal area, between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Lead by the Queensland Police Service, it works to improve outcomes for young people.
The challenge
Sarah Grayson is the District Crime Prevention Coordinator Redcliffe with Queensland Police Service.
She’s worked with four LDATs in the region and knows the area and its unique strengths and challenges well.
“The City of Moreton Bay, where we’ve run these Local Drug Action Teams, is the second largest council area in Australia, so you can imagine there are challenges keeping local youth engaged,” Sarah said.
The Redcliffe LDAT was set up to build young people’s capacity for resilience and enable community connections.
“It helps them have a sense of belonging somewhere. And, forging positive relationships with police gives young people a different trajectory.”
The response
The Blue EDGE program was rolled out in two local high schools, as part of Redcliffe LDAT’s second Community Action Plan.
Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower) is a program of physical training and life skills lessons delivered through career education, motivational speakers and mentoring.
It aims to promote team building and goal setting. It increases young people’s self-confidence and gives them experience of positive social connections with peers and responsible community role models.
The program spans eight weeks, with two 90-minute sessions held before school each week.
Community engagement and buy-in is an integral part of the Blue EDGE program.
Participants are joined by Queensland Blue Light Association Inc. (QBLAI) staff, police sergeants, detectives, PCYC staff, personal trainers, community members and school staff, who act as guest speakers and adult volunteers.
For this round, the LDAT planned to engage 40 high-risk young people, aged between 11 and 15, across two local state schools.
The progress
The initial enrolment was gradual, because the program at this location was in its early stages. But, by the third session, 44 participants had enrolled.
There was an 80-90% success rate in student attendance over the eight weeks, with 43 students completing the program.
An atmosphere of fun, engagement and trust was created within each group, which made the participants want to return each session. The students also loved the ‘free feed’ breakfast.
Instructors reported back that all young people were enthusiastic and actively involved in the sessions.
To gauge progress, participants completed a questionnaire at the start of the program and again at the end of the eight weeks.
The survey showed that 100% of participants had an increased knowledge of the harms related to alcohol and other drugs, as a result of participating in the Blue EDGE program's life skills sessions.
Instructors reported that it was great to have a set format to follow in the Blue EDGE program, which has been developed over a period of years based on experience, feedback and extensive evaluation.
They also noted that community support and involvement in the delivery of the program was important to its success, as well as close collaboration between the police and school.
Students said they loved the experience, the new skills gained, and the connections made.
Many said that it was the highlight of their school year, giving them pride in themselves and the confidence to head to high school.
“Students were involved with the process of set up, clean up and cooking during breakfast. It cemented relationships and allowed for impactful conversations to take place between participants and the adults present,” reported one instructor.
While one of the fitness instructors observed that there was an increase in the participants’ social connectedness. They made lasting friendships, felt that they were part of a team and part of something special.
“As the program progressed the group bonded very well and became a really tight, respectful and cohesive group. Students supported each other during the physical training sessions and connected with each other during school play times.”
The instructor also noted how the relationship between police and students strengthened over time.
“I saw how they got comfortable with having Sergeant Leigh there. At first, they were a lot quieter and as time went on you could see their personalities and confidence grow as they realised police officer Leigh was still a relatable person and wasn't there to get them in trouble.”
Parents also had lots of positive reflections in their survey results and hoped the program would continue as the changes they’d seen in their child were impressive.
Some of the participants improved their school attendance significantly. It was also a great opportunity for them to engage with different students, outside of their regular friends.
One parent said their child spoke highly of the people in the program, how much he pushed himself and that it benefitted his overall day at school.
“He had communication and interaction with others that wouldn’t normally be available to him throughout a general day.”
Advice to other LDATs
When it comes to running an LDAT, Sarah believes strong partnerships are key and it’s a great idea to lean on Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) staff for advice through the process.
“I’m a very big advocate for collaboration and working with other agencies. Getting partner agencies on board enhances what you’re trying to do,” she said.
“It’s added a whole next level to the program, to bring in partners like PCYC. It gives you lots of extra support.
“Working with ADF, as managers of the LDAT program is great. The expertise that their Relationship Managers bring has been excellent. They give us key advice to help inform the LDAT’s progression and our next Community Action Plan.”
“If we hit a hurdle, we can always give them a call.”