A PIONEERING project set up to support teenage Muslims in Swindon through sporting, recreation and educational activities has been a huge success in only its first year.

The Muslim Youth Development Project, based at the Drove People’s Campus in Broadgreen, aims to foster youth leaders while tackling issues including identity and religious extremism.

Swindon Council established the project, which is free to attend for all teenagers, following increasing levels of crime, anti-social behaviour and racial tension in the multi-cultural area.

Co-ordinator Amir Ayub said: “We are really impressed with the results we have had in terms of the turn-around in attitudes of the young people.

“The feedback we have had from the police has been brilliant.

“The figures of anti-social behaviour have gone down radically in the area since the project started and local businessmen have reported a lot less trouble. We have got young people finding employment in such a difficult time and we have got young people involved in positive things such as Duke of Edinburgh Awards.”

The project, the only one in the south west, was formed in spring 2009 by the Drove People’s Campus and the Swindon Youth Offending Team.

It was developed to deliver the Prevent strand of the Government’s ‘Contest’ strategy, which aims to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.

The project has two weekly youth clubs at the campus, with 35 to 40 boys attending on Tuesdays from 6.30-9pm, and 15 to 20 girls attending on Mondays from 6-8pm.

There are football sessions at the Futsal indoor arena on Sundays from 2-3pm and boxing training sessions at Horseshoe Gym on Thursdays from 7-8pm.

Youngsters have also enjoyed dozens of other activities, including canoeing, fishing and archery, as well as trips to the fire station in Drove Road and RNAS Yeovilton.

The project also runs more educational activities, including courses in leadership skills and employability.

Regular young debating forums, organised separately for boys and girls, will soon be held again at the council’s civic offices, where young people can discuss issues including faith and politics.

Future plans include a football tournament involving teams from the project, Swindon police and Wiltshire’s armed forces.

For more information, call Amir on 01793 823153 or watch a video on the project at www.vimeo.com/createstudios.