Each year South Yorkshire Police manages an initiative called Lifestyle Volunteers.  It aims to promote positive citizenship, increase community safety and reduce crime.

Participants, aged between 11 and 16, are asked to form teams of two or more young people and one or two adult volunteers. The project is owned by the young people, the adult volunteers are there to supervise and give direction when necessary. Adult Volunteers are subject to a vigorous police background check, which will be processed by South Yorkshire Police. Volunteers are not given any formal training, they are given guidelines in a handbook.

South Yorkshire Police launches the project in April each year, teams can then register and plan their project. The project should be completed during the summer months and finished by the end of September.

Once teams are registered, they will receive a pack containing a handbook, a diary and guidance on child protection. This year they will also receive a T-Shirt. The young people record all their activities in the diary and can add photos and press clippings to support their project entry. DVDs or videos can also be included and will be used as part of the judging process. A panel of independent people will judge the projects.

The Children and Young People’s Officers and Safer Neighbourhood Teams are encouraged to become involved with the young people participating in Lifestyle Volunteers, promoting positive engagement between South Yorkshire Police and the next generation of adults.

The projects must concentrate on one of the following areas:

Staying Safe
Knife Crime Awareness
Community Safety
Keeping Healthy

Visit www.lifestylevolunteers.co.uk to see the latest developments of Lifestyle Volunteers