They may not be the most traditional of crime prevention techniques, but Indian head massage, golf and cookery lessons are being used to help teenage boys in poor areas "de-stress" and stay away from the temptations of drink, drugs and offending. A national programme of activities for youngsters in the most deprived parts of England has seen boys queueing to try natural relaxation techniques, and reporting feeling calmer, more focused and less angry as a result. The aim is to offer youngsters alternative healthy activities besides traditional options such as football.
One project experimenting with the therapies in Halton, near Liverpool, found teenagers moved from bemusement to enthusiasm, and asked for more opportunities to try massage and reiki - a Japanese healing technique based on the idea that energy from a therapist can activate the body's ability to heal itself and banish stress.
The youngsters' parents were equally welcoming as the techniques, which also included detoxing foot spas, left the teenagers calmer and ready for bed at 10pm. The therapies have been tested as part of the Positive Futures programme, a £5m Home Office-funded scheme with more than 120 projects in the most deprived neighbourhoods in England. The five-year programme has focused on using sports and activities such as drama to divert 10- to 19-year-olds at risk of getting into trouble, but has recently branched out in some areas to include activities designed to help young people "de-stress and unwind", as well as alternative programmes such as cookery, fishing and golf.
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