To mark Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week, we are putting the spotlight on our ASB Heroes – those who help to make a real difference to keeping our communities safe.

One example of ASB Heroes here in Chesterfield is the team behind the ‘Boots on the Ground’ project, an initiative designed to provide different engagement opportunities for young people.

The project, operated by Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust, has been active within Chesterfield for the past 15 Months and is making a dramatic difference to vulnerable young people in the town.

Boots on the ground provides young people with a number of opportunities and events that can help them feel valued, build confidence and engage young people in positive activities enabling them to make positive choices. You can read more about Spireites Trust events on the Spireites Trust website.

The project also provides one-to-one support for young people, offering them a ‘safe space’ where they can get the guidance they need.

A new hub has also launched earlier this week at Lower Pavements named Spireites Youth Hub. The hubs aim is to offer diversionary activities and opportunities to young people, with daily sessions held Monday to Thursday’s each week, between 3:30pm and 5:45pm . This is an opportunity for young people to book on to a wide variety of sessions - ranging from online learning opportunities, art, wellbeing, ASB workshops and social sessions. Drop-in sessions for signposting and advice are also available on Friday’s between 10am and 5:30pm.

The programme also has ambitious plans to develop its offer to young people in Chesterfield by developing citizenship programmes, training and educational inputs relating to safeguarding and the violence against women and girl’s agenda.

Chesterfield Borough Council is the main funding partner of Boots on the Ground, and the programme directly contributes to achieving one of the priorities set out in our anti-social behaviour strategy - developing diversionary activity and engagement with young people in Chesterfield.

Read more about the other ASB heroes here in Chesterfield and across Derbyshire at: www.saferderbyshire.gov.uk/asbhero