Youth club on wheels hoping to improve young lives

Anthony Oloseinde, founder of Always an Alternative, says he wanted to reach young people directly

A mobile youth club that aims to stop children "going down the wrong path" has launched with an amnesty bin to allow knives to be surrendered.

The Always An Alternative van in Sheffield will work with young people at risk of knife crime, substance misuse and mental health issues.

The vehicle has a gaming area and studio for music and video production, and there is space to store sports equipment and art materials.

The charity's founder Anthony Oloseinde said that other youth services were not "getting to" those in need and so he hoped to bring support directly to them.

Always An Alternative began as an anti-knife crime campaign called Keep Sheffield Stainless, but Mr Oloseinde said it had made him realise that understanding the mindset of those carrying weapons was key to reducing violence.

Anyone attending the drop-in sessions will be able to safely dispose of blades in the on-board amnesty bin.

He said: "It's out of fear, they want to protect themselves. It could be linked to fear, because other young people are getting involved in knife crime, it's a higher risk to them. They see it on social media a lot. Not enough has been done to stop it, so they feel it's increasing.

"We've got such a vast range of different life experiences that we can teach the young people and support them, and let them see that we've all made mistakes, but they don't have to."

Lead youth worker Zoe Sharrock

Lead youth worker Zoe Sharrock said the van was a "modern" version of a traditional drop-in youth club.

"It's helping change the future of kids that haven't really got much. Everyone forgets, we grow older, and it's the kids that are the next generation."

On the launch day the van set up outside the Link Community Hub in Stradbroke, and teenagers took part in activities such as DJing.

Those attending said they would "get out more" if the club came to their local area frequently.

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