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Gym given grant to tackle anti-social behaviour

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire
Northants PFCC A man, wearing an orange top and cream shorts, is doing a pull up on a metal bar in an outdoor setting. A boy is next to him, with his back to the camera. He is wearing a blue football shirt and black trousers. A building is in the background, with a police van reflected in its glass windows.Northants PFCC
Professional coaches will be on hand to help young people improve their fitness

A gym that runs strength workout sessions in a "safe space" has been given a £10,000 grant to try to steer young people away from anti-social behaviour.

Cali Lab, a calisthenics-based facility in Corby will run weekly sessions for 25 children aged 12-16.

The money has come from the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) Danielle Stone with the aim of easing calls on police officers.

Terry, a coach and founder of the gym, said calisthenics, which is mostly body weight training, changed his life and it could "help vulnerable young people make better choices and find a positive direction".

A spokesperson for PFCC's office said it would give "young people an avenue to develop new skills".

A partnership between Stone and the gym started in the summer when it provided free sessions during the summer holidays, as part of an anti-social behaviour crackdown.

Northants PFCC A man, in an orange T-shirt, next to a woman police officer, who is wearing black trousers and high-viz jacket and has sunglasses on her head. Danielle Stone is looking at the man and gesticulating with her hands. She has medium length grey hair, sunglasses covering her eyes, a floral top and a lanyard round her neck. A white van is behind them and a glass-fronted building is behind them.Northants PFCC
Danielle Stone (right) said she was "delighted to be able to support the Cali Lab with grant funding through my Safe and Sound Communities Fund"

The grant will help the gym continue its engagement work in the community for the next year.

The coach said: "It's about belonging, opportunity and building a better future.

"Giving five young people the chance to become qualified calisthenics coaches could genuinely change the course of their lives."

Stone said: "Having seen Terry engage with young people during his work this summer, it is clear he has great respect from young people in Corby who are keen to learn from him.

"The more we can do to cut low-level anti-social behaviour and reduce demand on Northamptonshire Police the better, so that is why the work Terry is doing with young people is so vital."

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