TTC is run by six Youth Workers whose aim is to engage with young people congregating around shops, encouraging them to carry out environmental improvements in shopping areas in partnership with local businesses. The overall aim of the project is for young people to take ownership of their local areas and to improve relationships between young people and shop owners that will benefit the community as a whole.

Participating retailers will be awarded a YES pledge - Young People's Exceptional Services - to be displayed to indicate that they are a young people friendly establishment. Since its launch early last year, TTC has engaged with over 400 10 to 18 year olds who have been actively involved in shaping and improving their ˜street corners" though a variety of projects. And through these initiatives, over 350 of those involved have developed skills in areas such as small scale construction and horticultural activities and have received formal accreditation for their work. In addition the project has so far developed relationships with 65 local retailers with 15 of these signing the YES Pledge to reinforce that they are a young people friendly.

Groundwork is a charitable organisation that helps people and organisations make changes in order to create better neighbourhoods, to build skills and job prospects, and to live and work in a greener way. Groundwork operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and works on thousands of individual projects each year, focusing on disadvantaged communities where the most difference can be made.

The Turning the Corner (TTC) programme is operated by Groundwork North East, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and covers areas within the Groundwork North East and Yorkshire & Humber regions, including Durham, Redcar & Cleveland, South Tyneside, Dearne Valley, Wakefield and Leeds. The scheme aims to challenge negative perceptions and attitudes between local businesses and young people seen to be "hanging around" street corners, particularly in areas with shops.