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Views Case Management

01/12/2025

by admin News & Updates Uncategorized

Investing in Better Safeguarding and Smarter Systems

At Youth Unity, young people are at the heart of everything we do. Safeguarding, trust and accountability are not just responsibilities we talk about they are built into our daily practice.

That’s why we’ve recently invested in a new case management system through Substance. This system allows us to securely log our sessions, record the support we provide, and ensure that important information is kept safe, accurate and consistent. Most importantly, it strengthens our safeguarding processes and helps us respond more effectively when young people need us.

We also know that our mentors’ time is best spent building relationships, supporting young people and being present, not completing endless paperwork. This system has been chosen to make recording information simpler, faster and more meaningful, allowing our team to focus on what matters most.

In addition, the system enables us to produce more in-depth case studies and structured reports. This is essential in helping us demonstrate impact clearly, meet the requirements of our funders, and ensure transparency and accountability across our work.

While there is a learning curve, this investment is about long-term impact. It will help us track progress more clearly, identify concerns earlier, and evidence outcomes more effectively.

This change reflects our ongoing commitment to improving our services and ensuring that every young person we work with is supported safely, responsibly and with care.

Youth Space Romford

30/11/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering The Battis

Transforming a Forgotten Space into a Place for Young People to Thrive

For years, a side section of ATIK Nightclub in Romford has sat unused and forgotten after the venue closed its doors. Now, that space is about to begin a new chapter — one that puts young people and the community first.

“Urban Sketch, have generously made this enclosed area available to Youth Unity whilst their planning application of the ATIK site is decided and redevelopment is readied. Once their new mixed-use development is complete, we hope to work with them further by opening up the building to the community”.

Today, with the incredible support of the Community Payback Team, the area was cleaned and cleared, marking the first step toward bringing this space back to life.

A Safe Space for Young People

For a long time, Youth Unity has been talking with local young people about what they truly want and need. The message is clear and consistent:
They want a safe place to come together, to socialise, to have fun, and to feel supported by trusted adults.

Romford has faced challenges with young people gathering in shopping areas and public spaces. This is often misunderstood as “bad behaviour,” when in reality it is young people doing what young people do — trying to find somewhere to belong. The problem isn’t the young people. The problem is the lack of welcoming, safe spaces.

Youth Unity aims to change that.

Our Vision

We want to turn this enclosed space into a vibrant, inclusive hub where young people can:

socialise safely
play sports and games
express creativity through art
connect with positive role models
build confidence and community

But we can’t do it alone.

How You Can Help

We are calling on local businesses, builders, tradespeople and community partners to help us make this project happen.

Here are just a few ways you can support:

Donate materials or labour to help build a simple roof / shelter
Sponsor equipment such as:
- table tennis tables
- basketball hoop
- seating and tables
Sponsor creative installations (murals, artwork, lighting)
Sponsor or donate skills and time

Youth Unity is also actively seeking funding to provide trained staff and youth workers to run the sessions so we can ensure the space is safe, supported, and well-managed.

This space isn’t just for young people, it’s for the whole community. We welcome conversations with anyone who would like to collaborate and help shape this into something special.

Everything has to start somewhere.
And this is our beginning.

If you’d like to support or get involved, please contact us today.

Multicultural happy friends having fun taking group selfie portrait on city street - Multiracial young people celebrating laughing together outdoors - Happy lifestyle concept

Kailo Project

27/11/2025

by admin #BEWELL Project London Borough of Havering UCL Partners

What is KAILO?

KAILO is a project where young people work together to design better ways to support mental health and wellbeing. Local young people in Havering told us one thing clearly: there’s a big need to feel more welcomed, valued, and supported.

Now, we’re inviting you to be part of the solution.

Together, we’ll explore real ideas that can help make Havering a place where every young person feels connected — no matter their background, race, gender, or sexuality. Your ideas won’t just be talked about. They’ll be shared with the people who can make real change happen.

Open Book

Join KAILO and Help Shape the Future for Young People in Havering

Want to make a real difference to young people’s lives in Havering?
KAILO is your chance to be heard, and to help create change that actually matters.

Why get involved?

Because your voice matters.
Because change starts with young people.
Because you know what needs improving better than anyone else.

We’re looking for young people who:

Are aged 16–19
Live in Havering
Care about making things better — whether that’s tackling discrimination, building a sense of belonging, or improving support for young people

What will you do?

You’ll take part in group sessions where you’ll share ideas, learn from others, and help design improvements to young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Time commitment:

Sessions once every 1–2 weeks for about 4 months
Each session lasts 2–3 hours
Held on weekday evenings
Designed to be flexible, supportive, and built around you

You’ll work with a group of around 8–12 people, including:

Other young people from Havering
The KAILO team
Adults from youth services, schools, mental health services, local government, and community organisations

What’s in it for you?

Your time and voice are valued — and you’ll be supported every step of the way:

✅ You’ll be paid for your time
✅ Travel costs are covered
✅ Food is provided at every session
✅ You’ll receive a certificate for your CV, college, or job applications
✅ You’ll gain confidence, experience, and new skills
✅ You’ll help shape what happens next for young people in your area

Ready to be part of something meaningful?

Diverse international group of women or girl hugging together. Sisterhood, friends, union of feminists, event celebration. Girls team on isolated background with copy space. Flat vector illustration.

White Ribbon Day, Havering

25/11/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering New Projects

White Ribbon Day 2025

Youth Unity were honoured to attend the Havering Men Challenging Men VAWG Conference, held at the Town Hall to mark White Ribbon Day 2025. The event brought together professionals, community leaders, and youth-focused organisations to stand in solidarity against violence towards women and girls, as outlined in the conference agenda.

One of the most powerful moments of the day came from Simeon Dennis, one of our dedicated mentors, who stood to speak about our work on the WAVE Programme. Simeon also shared his own personal reflections on how domestic violence has shaped his life growing up with four sisters. His honesty and courage offered a crucial reminder of why this work matters—and why engaging men and boys is essential in creating long-term change.

At Youth Unity, we remain committed to:

Educating young males on boundaries, respect, and positive masculinity.
Supporting young females who may be at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
Delivering early-intervention programmes that challenge harmful attitudes before they become harmful behaviours.
Standing alongside partners across Havering to build safer communities for all.

We extend our sincere thanks to Havering Council for inviting us to take part in this meaningful event and for their continued commitment to tackling VAWG within the borough. It was a privilege to join the wider community in raising the White Ribbon flag and participating in the solidarity march that followed.

Youth Unity will continue working with local partners to empower young people, create safer spaces, and challenge the cultural norms that allow violence against women and girls to persist.

Together, we stand for change.

Supporting Medway Council to Engage Young People in Gillingham

29/10/2025

by admin Medway Council

Supporting Medway Council to Engage Young People in Gillingham

Youth Unity CIC is partnering with Medway Council’s Youth Services Team to deliver a bold new mobile outreach programme designed to reach young people where they are on the streets, in parks, and in the heart of their communities.

From December 2025 to March 2026, our mobile outreach van will roll into key areas of Gillingham, transforming public spaces into hubs of creativity, connection, and support.

Led by trauma-informed youth workers, each session provides young people with a safe space to talk, take part, and try something new from gaming to music production and creative workshops.

This work focuses on:

Reaching and supporting vulnerable young people early, before issues escalate.
Reducing anti-social behaviour through meaningful engagement and trust-building.
Offering creative alternatives that build skills, confidence, and belonging.
Strengthening connections between young people, local services, and their wider community.

By bringing opportunity directly to Gillingham’s streets, we’re helping young people find their voice, channel their energy, and see their potential.

Our partnership with Medway Council is about more than outreach it’s about changing the story for young people, one conversation at a time.

City Airport

21/10/2025

by admin London City Airport New Projects

Empowering NEET Youth in Greenwich & Bexley:
A New Digital Training and Mentoring Initiative

Youth Unity CIC is proud to announce a new project aimed at empowering young people across Greenwich and Bexley, supported by the London City Airport Community Fund. The initiative focuses on helping NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people unlock their potential through online skills training and one-to-one guidance.

Tackling Local Challenges Head-On

Both Greenwich and Bexley face significant socio-economic challenges, from youth unemployment and educational inequality to the impacts of serious youth violence and anti-social behaviour. Many young people in these boroughs lack access to positive opportunities and pathways into meaningful employment.

At Youth Unity, we believe every young person deserves the chance to thrive. Our new project seeks to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity by offering digital access to accredited training courses, supported by personalised mentoring designed to help participants find direction and build confidence.

Our Vision: Reducing Risk, Raising Aspirations

The project’s key goals include:

Reducing vulnerability Engaging NEET youth in structured training to divert them from crime and anti-social behaviour.
Creating pathways into employment Offering courses aligned with local job markets and connecting participants with local employers.
Enhancing community safety Empowered, confident young people contribute to safer and more resilient communities.

Through targeted online learning and one-to-one mentorship, participants will gain not only practical job skills but also access to mental health resources, financial literacy training, and personal development tools.

Collaboration and Community

Youth Unity’s strength lies in its partnerships. We work closely with local schools, youth offending teams, community safety partnerships, housing associations, and social care services to reach young people most in need. This collaboration ensures that the right support reaches the right individuals, making lasting change possible.

We’re also inviting those who complete the program to stay involved as Youth Unity Ambassadors, supporting peers, shaping future projects, and giving back to their communities. These ambassadors will gain experience in youth work, develop leadership skills, and help co-design upcoming initiatives.

Measuring Impact

Success will be tracked through participant feedback, skills assessments, and employment outcomes from training completions to real-world job placements and apprenticeships. By combining data with personal stories, we aim to demonstrate tangible improvements in employability, confidence, and community engagement.

Celebrating Local Support

This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of the London City Airport Community Fund. Together, we’re investing in the future of East London’s youth building hope, skills, and safer neighbourhoods.

We’ll be sharing updates, stories, and outcomes from the project as it progresses, including interviews with participants and partners.

Kent PCC Outreach

20/10/2025

by admin Kent New Projects

Free Youth Activities in Dartford Town Centre this October

Youth Unity, in partnership with the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, is delighted to be offering free youth sessions in Dartford Town Centre during the October school break.

These sessions are designed to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging space for young people aged 10 and above. Our team will be delivering a wide range of activities, including sports, gaming, music, and performing arts. Each session offers young people the chance to try new things, meet new friends, and enjoy positive experiences in a welcoming environment.

Session Dates and Times

Tuesday 21st October: 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Wednesday 23rd October: 12.45pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday 28th October: 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Venue

Dartford Town Centre

Why Attend?

We know that school holidays can sometimes feel long or isolating for young people. Our aim is to provide a safe space that encourages creativity, connection, and confidence. These sessions are completely free of charge and open to anyone aged 10 and above, so no young person is excluded.

Youth Unity has a proven track record of delivering youth-led projects across the community, focusing on building resilience, wellbeing, and skills. With the support of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, we are committed to offering opportunities that help young people thrive.

Tall Ships Sailing

18/10/2025

by admin Enrichment New Projects Tall Ships Youth Trust

Nine Young People, One Life-Changing Voyage

A week at sea they’ll never forget

In October 2025 we took nine incredible young people stepped aboard a Tall Ships Youth Trust vessel and sailed into an experience that none will forget. From the first safety brief to the final dock lines, they learned to helm, hoist, navigate, cook for the crew, and most importantly, trust themselves and each other. The smiles at the finish said it all: “I did that.”

We’ve captured the journey in tons of photos and video, from sunrise sails to belly-laugh dinners, so you can feel the wind and the buzz right alongside them. We also asked everyone to complete pre- and post-surveys to measure confidence, teamwork, resilience, and sense of belonging. We have publish those impact results on this page so you can see the growth in their own words and numbers.

“I didn’t know I could do things like this. Now I want to do more.” — Participant, age 14

What changed out there

Confidence: Young people took the helm, literally, and discovered they can lead.
Teamwork: Lines aren’t lifted alone; neither are goals. They learned to rely on one another.
Resilience: Early starts, real responsibility, and big seas built grit in the best way.
Belonging: Eight individuals returned as one crew.

A mentor who goes the extra mile (and nautical mile)

A huge shout-out to Simeon, one of Youth Unity’s dedicated mentors. He knew some of the young people already and met others for the first time on deck but by day two he’d turned a boatload of strangers into a crew. Simeon volunteered an entire week out of a packed schedule because his passion for young people is real. We’re certain the crew will remember his energy, humour, and steady guidance for a long time.

Thank you to the people who made it possible

We are profoundly grateful to Tall Ships for opening up the world of sail training and leadership to our young people, and to OSRL for sponsoring the voyage. Your belief in this experience created a safe, challenging, unforgettable week that will ripple through school, home, and community long after the boat is moored.

What’s next

This voyage proved what we already felt: experiences like this change trajectories. We’re committed to sharing the full story, photos, videos, and survey impact, right here. And we truly hope to continue this experience year on year, reaching more young people with the same mix of challenge, joy, and growth.

“One young person embraced the opportunities for leadership so much he’s been recommended to return as a volunteer.”

Want a taste?

Check out the photo & video gallery.
Read the impact snapshot from our pre/post surveys.
Follow Youth Unity for updates about next year’s voyage.

Thank you, Tall Ships Youth Trust and your amazing team. Thank you, OSRL. And to your brilliant crew: you showed up, you worked hard, and you sailed your hearts out.

Link to TALL SHIPS YOUTH TRUST PHOTOS

Open Book

Special Thanks to Paul McKenzie for travelling down to video the start of the voyage

Mike & Will

Caleb

Thank you so much for bringing us this opportunity to thrive and live on a ship

I’ve always wanted to be on boats thank you for making this happen

I would like them to know that this is great for youths who aren't the most social because it gets everyone involved and you can choose what you like to do.

I was nearly forced to walk the plank which was funny and I learned different skills 🙂

This voyage is important to increase your confidence and social life

I've learnt that even when on a troubling situation you should away remember that there are people with you to help you cop it, people to smile with and have fun with.

my voyage highlights include making new friends and learning more skills

WhatsApp Image 2025-09-06 at 06.43.21 (23)

The Cage

17/09/2025

by admin Community Development London Borough of Bexley New Projects Peabody Housing

The Cage Summer Programme:
Youth Voice, Art, and Community Impact

This summer, Youth Unity CIC delivered a six-week programme at The Cage in Thamesmead, following strong demand from young people who asked us to return after our first community event in June. Many told us they didn’t feel safe or welcome in the space — but also that they valued the positive, inclusive environment we created.

A Creative Collaboration

Working with C-That.co.uk, the project included a youth-driven art installation. Week after week, young people helped design and paint murals on the outer walls of The Cage, transforming the area into a space they could take pride in. This creative process gave participants a real sense of ownership and visibility.

Consistent Youth Engagement

Over six weeks, we delivered a mix of activities including sports, music recording, podcasting, and gaming. These sessions provided safe, structured alternatives and encouraged young people to return week after week. Attendance was strong across all age groups and backgrounds, showing clear demand for this kind of consistent, positive provision.

What We Found

Our engagement also highlighted some important safeguarding concerns:

Many younger children on the estate are often left unsupervised, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and grooming.
A significant number of young people have become desensitised to gang culture, seeing it as “just a way of life.”
This underlines the urgent need for trusted role models and safe, supportive spaces.

Recognition at the Highest Level

The programme concluded with a visit from the Deputy Mayor of London, who recognised the importance of this work and the value of investing in young people locally. Their presence reinforced that the voices of Thamesmead’s youth matter at both a community and city-wide level.

Impact and Outcomes

Reduced community tensions during a sensitive period.
Engagement of young people most at risk of anti-social behaviour.
Strengthened collaboration with schools, residents, and statutory partners.
Increased awareness of key safeguarding issues including vaping, littering, and weapons.
Six well-attended sessions that promoted wellbeing, community pride, and ownership of The Cage.

Partnership and Support

This programme was made possible through the ongoing support of Peabody Housing, whose funding and partnership ensure that vital community projects like this can continue to make a difference.

Local Action to Improve Youth Wellbeing in Havering

12/08/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering New Projects School Workshops Workshops & Training

Local Action to Improve Youth Wellbeing in Havering

Youth Unity CIC will be delivering the Havering Youth Wellbeing Engagement Programme for the London Borough of Havering building on insights from the Havering Youth Wellbeing Census using the #BeeWell survey

The programme include two key initiatives:

Youth engagement in schools
Kailo (delivered in partnership with UCLPartners).

Both initiatives will involve working closely with schools, community partners, and local families to ensure that the voices of young people in Havering are truly heard and acted upon. We believe that meaningful change comes when generations work together. That is why this programme will not only focus on youth engagement but also bring different generations together fostering understanding, respect, and shared purpose between young people and the wider community.

What’s involved?

Young people will use creative tools and activities in schools to explore the Havering Youth Wellbeing Census results around mental health and wellbeing, sharing ideas on how local leaders and services can better support them.
Already delivered in Newham and North Devon, Kailo is a framework aimed at helping local communities, young people and public service partnerships better understand and address the root causes (and wider determinants) of young people’s mental health. Young people will take part in a series of interactive workshops and work with local leaders to identify opportunities for improvement and co-design solutions.

What’s next?

The programme begins with a preparation phase in August 2025, followed by delivery from October 2025 to April 2026. We’re committed to working in partnership with the London Borough of Havering, schools, and community organisations to create positive, lasting change for young people in Havering.

Stay tuned for updates, stories, and opportunities to get involved as we move forward.

Recent Posts

Investing in Better Safeguarding and Smarter Systems

Transforming a Forgotten Space into a Place for Young People to Thrive

Today, with the incredible support of the Community Payback Team, the area was cleaned and cleared, marking the first step toward bringing this space back to life.

A Safe Space for Young People

Our Vision

How You Can Help

What is KAILO?

Join KAILO and Help Shape the Future for Young People in Havering

Why get involved?

What will you do?

What’s in it for you?

Ready to be part of something meaningful?

White Ribbon Day 2025

Supporting Medway Council to Engage Young People in Gillingham

Empowering NEET Youth in Greenwich & Bexley: A New Digital Training and Mentoring Initiative

Tackling Local Challenges Head-On

Our Vision: Reducing Risk, Raising Aspirations

Collaboration and Community

Measuring Impact

Celebrating Local Support

Free Youth Activities in Dartford Town Centre this October

Session Dates and Times

Venue

Why Attend?

Nine Young People, One Life-Changing Voyage

A week at sea they’ll never forget

What changed out there

A mentor who goes the extra mile (and nautical mile)

Thank you to the people who made it possible

What’s next

Want a taste?

The Cage Summer Programme: Youth Voice, Art, and Community Impact

A Creative Collaboration

Consistent Youth Engagement

What We Found

Recognition at the Highest Level

Impact and Outcomes

Partnership and Support

Empowering NEET Youth in Greenwich & Bexley:
A New Digital Training and Mentoring Initiative

The Cage Summer Programme:
Youth Voice, Art, and Community Impact