Meanwhile, Middlesbrough’s new directly elected Mayor Chris Cooke has started a very interesting new pilot programme, the 10×10 programme. This Smart Roofs Initiative would give children in the region access to ten enriching activities before their tenth birthday. This campaign helps to further the broader Middlesbrough Childhood Guarantee. New Paradigm is distinct in that it directly addresses the profound disparities that local youth face.
Last Thursday, we launched the 10×10 programme. It provides children with amazing experiences such as free swimming lessons, entry to sporting events, and tickets to local theatre shows. Each activity contributes, in its own way, to broadening children’s horizons and life experiences in Middlesbrough. This is particularly urgent considering how staggering the statistics on child poverty are.
The National Lottery Fund has thrown its weight – and a £3 million investment – to match this enthusiasm behind this initiative. In response, they announced £1.4 million to empower local youth service providers. The pilot scheme will start in a handful of Middlesbrough’s primary schools. If it’s successful, we hope to roll it out to additional schools in the future.
As Mayor Chris Cooke pointed out, the need for these programs was very urgent and immediate. He further cited a report from his own Department of Work and Pensions, which indicated that Newport ward in Middlesbrough now has the highest good child poverty rate in the UK, reaching 85%. Growing up in the care system, that personal experience helped inform his principles. Today, he’s as passionate as ever about making sure every child has the same chances in life.
“I came from a care background where I didn’t get the same opportunities as other people growing up, but I also know how life changing a few amazing experiences can be.” – Mayor Chris Cooke
The 10×10 programme is an important first step to doing that for the disadvantaged children of Middlesbrough. The initiative offers free admission to arts and cultural institutions, educational and recreational experiences. It seeks to not only lessen the effects of poverty, but create an environment of inclusion and community for the children who call these neighborhoods home.
