THE multi-award winning Kids Are Alright Campaign - a stereotype-busting campaign run by the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard - has been commended in a new report that highlights ways of improving public opinions of young people.

The National Foundation for Educational Research - the country’s largest independent educational research organisation - said: “A range of positive developments can be linked to this work. The campaign itself provides young people with a platform to redress negative images in the media.

“The campaign also highlights the varied things young people do in their local communities including a wide range of volunteering work that the public may not often hear about.”

The report called ‘Positivity in Practise, approaches to improving perceptions of young people and their involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour’, has heaped praise on the campaign.

It says there is a “mismatch” between how much youth crime people think is being committed and the reality, and it’s important to redress the balance.

Senior researcher Kerry Martin said: “This study raises a number of ideas that can be taken forward by policy makers and strategic leads at both national and local level.”

The report said: “Importantly there is also some anecdotal evidence that the project has achieved its overall aim of improving public views of young people.”

Before the report was published, researchers interviewed a number of people involved in the project, including reporter Adam Lazzari and editor John Elworthy.

The campaign also involved the Cambridgeshire Criminal Justice Board, Fenland District Council, Fenland Youth District Council, Cambs Fire and Rescue Service, Connexions and Cambridgeshire County Council, and is commended for its partnership work.

The campaign won the Youth Justice Board’s Best Communication in Youth Justice Award and scooped Community Campaign of the Year at this year’s EDF Energy East of England Media Awards.