CDI is a long running youth project on Oxford’s Leys estate, and works with children and young people aged 9-25. We work closely with young people, their families and the wider community to respond to local need. We take the following structured support approach: preventative recreational and educational activities open to all, including after-school and holiday clubs, with activities for different ages; targeted support and development of older young people aged 11-18, who get involved in design, delivery and management of CDI programmes; and bespoke intensive support for young people aged 18-25 involved with crime or displaying high-risk negative behaviour.

CDI’s three-strand ‘Get In’ approach works with disadvantaged young people, creating new opportunities, services and routes to participation:

CDI offers unique opportunities for young people to be involved in the governance and management of the organisation and delivery of projects.  By becoming  involved in leadership and shaping the design of activities and services, they take on responsibility for themselves, the project and the wider community.

Many young people face both peer pressure and economic incentive to be involved in drugs, gangs and criminal activity. CDI challenges this by investing in young people and their future, providing activities that identify and build on their positive skills and qualities, building up confidence to make positive choices.

Providing high quality constructive activities that support young people in building self-confidence and life skills.  Recreational and educational activities are equitably provided to all local young people, allowing them to strengthen engagement, gain transferable skills and achieve qualifications.

“Without CDI, a lot of people’s lives would be different.  It’s hard to say how, but they would be going in a different direction.  Not in a stereotypical way, you can’t say everyone would get involved in crime, or not get jobs.  But there’s no doubt that we are mentally and socially better for being here” Quote youth focus group, October 2013″

Supporting local projects, benefiting local people.

The Leys CDI is a local charity, launched in 1995 to develop and co-ordinate projects of long-term benefit to Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys estates in Oxford.  Leys CDI have wide experience as a key partner in initiatives tackling deprivation and social inclusion in the local community.  Our work has been recognised and supported by a broad range of organisations, both statutory and voluntary, at local and national level.

The Youth Project is the CDI’s longest running project it started in the summer of 1995 with a holiday project run for two weeks by casual staff. 17 years later the project is managing a three year Lottery funded initiative – YP2 – alongside regular term-time and holiday activities.  The demand, from residents of all ages, for quality activities and opportunities to be provided for young people in the estate has remained constant over the last 17 years.

As well as offering preventative, diversionary activities, we also respond to the needs of young people who are not in education, employment or training, and do not have a stable home life.  These young people need help and motivation from adults who can listen and who provide good role models. The CDI Youth Project has a proven track record for doing this.

The Youth Project’s strength lies in its community roots.  Where statutory bodies often struggle, the CDI is well established and ‘respected’ locally, and can successfully involve, in positive activity, many of the groups which are traditionally difficult to reach.  A majority of the workers we employ are local residents whom the young people know, can relate to, and trust.