admin, Author at Youth Unity

Suzanne Hedges, who became a dedicated anti-knife crime campaigner after witnessing the tragic death of her son, Ricky Hayden, has focused her efforts on promoting The Daniel Baird bleed bag kits. These kits are crucial for managing severe bleeding from knife wounds until professional medical help arrives.

Ricky, a former Essex doorman, was fatally attacked with a machete on September 13, 2016. At around 1:25 a.m., he, his brother Perry, and his father Paul confronted a group attempting to steal a moped who were armed with machetes.

Suzanne’s advocacy for bleed bag kits reflects her commitment to improving emergency response and saving lives in critical situations, channeling her personal tragedy into a broader fight against knife violence.

The goal is to provide immediate, practical support that can save lives in emergency situations.

The bleed bag kits typically include items such as:

Tourniquets: To control severe bleeding by constricting blood flow.
Hemostatic dressings: Specially designed bandages that help to stop bleeding more effectively than regular bandages.
Pressure bandages: To apply pressure and support to the wound.
Gloves: For hygiene and to protect the person applying first aid.
Instructional materials: Guidance on how to use the contents of the kit effectively.

Article from The Havering Daily

Bereaved mother and anti knife crime campaigner Sue Hedges yesterday (Wednesday 28 August) joined forces with Shirley and James from the amazing Youth Unity organisation in Romford.

Sue, who lost her son Ricky to knife crime in 2016, donated a Daniel Baird bleed bag that are proven life savers.

Youth Unity were on South Street in Romford working with our youths and do fantastic outreach work across Havering and London wide. They are a non profit organisation that are dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people and adults affected by issues such as gang violence, drug abuse and exploitation.

Sue told the Havering Daily:

“It was great to meet with Shirley and James yesterday. They do a truly amazing job across our borough and so many other parts of London. Work such as theirs is so vital to our community to help tackle knife crime.

“I’m happy to have donated a Daniel Baird bleed bag to them as we know just how important these bleed kits are in our community.”

Sue, Shirley and James were also joined in Romford by Harold Hill Community Champion Jan Sargeant who spent time chatting with Youth Unity members to learn about the amazing work they are doing on our streets.

James, Sue, Shirley and Jan in Romford.

Sue Hedges has been involved in various initiatives to promote knife crime awareness, including public speaking engagements, participating in community events, and collaborating with organizations dedicated to combating violent crime. Her personal experience has fueled her passion for making a difference and ensuring that other families do not have to endure similar tragedies. Her efforts contribute to ongoing discussions about improving safety and supporting victims and their families.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the generous donation of bleed bag kits. While we deeply appreciate this contribution, our hope is that we will never have to use these kits, as we are strong advocates for preventative measures against knife violence. Our focus remains on proactive strategies to ensure safer communities and to address the root causes of violence. Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us work towards a future where such interventions are not needed”.

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Amplifying Voices: Understanding Romford’s Youth and Community

September 1, 2024

by admin Film Production London Borough of Havering New Projects

As part of our ongoing two-year collaboration with the Community Safety Team at Havering Council, we have been working closely with local residents to better understand the community’s needs and concerns. Over the past few weeks, we have been actively filming and building a storyboard for our project, which is centered around documenting the thoughts and concerns of Romford residents, particularly young people. Our goal has been to gauge how safe they feel in the town and to explore their ideas on what improvements could be made to foster a stronger, more connected community.

By capturing the authentic voices of local people, especially those of young residents who are often misunderstood, we aim to gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the area. With limited recreational options available, young people frequently gather in the town center, and this has sometimes led to disturbances. Through this project, we seek to highlight these issues and explore solutions.

Key Objectives of Our Project

1. Capture Authentic Voices:
Through our filming efforts, we have recorded genuine reactions and stories from community members. These narratives provide a rich, in-depth perspective that goes beyond what surveys alone can capture, offering a more comprehensive view of the community’s sentiments and experiences.

2. Highlight Community Impact:
We are shedding light on the serious issue of youth violence and its impact on young people in the community. Our goal is to bring awareness to these challenges and work collaboratively to find effective solutions to create a safer environment.

3. Engage Diverse Demographics:
We have ensured that our project is inclusive of all age groups, with a special focus on incorporating the voices of young people while also respecting their privacy. This inclusive approach helps us to better understand the different needs and perspectives within the community.

Multi cultural society and multiculturalism as a celebration of diverse cultures and diversity or African black pride as a multicultural social unity with people of different races united in a 3D illustration style.

Dartford Community Growth Through Mentorship, Training, and Sports

September 1, 2024

by admin BIG LOCAL Dartford Council New Projects

At the Unity Hub, we are excited to announce a series of engaging activities and programs designed to support and empower our community from September 2024 to July 2025. These initiatives are crafted to foster personal growth, build capacity, and promote positive engagement across different groups within our community. Here’s a breakdown of what we have planned:

Activity 1: Targeted Mentoring and Positive Attitudes

We will run weekly sessions focused on mentoring and fostering positive attitudes among young people aged 11 to 18. These sessions will take place during term time at Acacia Hall (Unity Hub). This program is designed to provide consistent support, guidance, and motivation to help young people thrive.

Activity 2: Training and Capacity Building

To strengthen the capabilities of local voluntary and community organisations, we will conduct a series of training session. These sessions will be available both online and face-to-face, catering to the needs of staff and volunteers from these organisations. This training will equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their contributions to the community.

Activity 3: Community Podcast – THRIVE Support Network

We will produce a series of podcasts, providing a platform for sharing thoughts and experiences on a wide range of topics. These podcasts will be recorded at various venues and will cater to men of all ages, including those from organisations, charities, and community groups. The goal is to create a support network through open dialogue, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

Activity 4: Futsal Sport Event

We are planning a 5-day Football Event during the school summer holidays in July/August 2025 at Buccaneer Bay, Dartford Central Park. Alongside the event, we will host a competition to capture and showcase the highlights in a video, promoting the spirit of teamwork and community.

Each of these activities is being designed to meet the unique needs of our community and to promote a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. We look forward to welcoming participants and making a positive impact together.

Each of these activities is designed to meet the unique needs of our community and promote a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. We look forward to welcoming participants and making a positive impact together.

Children hand-drawn happy and beautiful neighborhoods in stick figure style illustration. White background.

School Holiday Program: Unity HUB Comes to Harold Hill, supported by BETRA TMO

September 1, 2024

by admin London Borough of Havering New Projects Outreach

Our Media VAN, “Unity HUB,” is scheduled to visit Winsor Park Community Centre in Barking & Dagenham during the October school holidays. This initiative, funded by L&Q, aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and keep young people safe during the school break, a time that can often be challenging for parents and carers.

XBox
Table Tennis
Basketball
Football
Badminton
Music
Street Chess

These activities have already received positive feedback from local partners and councillors. They are proving popular, keeping young people engaged, reducing anti-social behaviour, and supporting those at risk of exploitation. Our approach is effective and impactful.

Our mobile service not only provides these exciting activities but also creates a safe, inclusive space where young people can develop social skills, teamwork, and overall well-being. It’s a place where they can feel valued and supported by trusted role models, explore their interests, and grow as individuals. We are not only working with young people but also engaging the wider community to help forge relationships between generations. Similar projects have shown significant improvements in confidence, self-esteem, and ambitions among participants.

With the support of our funding, we can ensure proper supervision and provide the guidance and support young people need to reach their full potential.

Unity HUB Media VAN to Visit Windsor Park Community Centre This October

September 1, 2024

by admin L&Q New Projects Outreach

XBox
Table Tennis
Basketball
Football
Badminton
Music
Street Chess

With the support of our funding, we can ensure proper supervision and provide the guidance and support young people need to reach their full potential.

Testimonial 6

August 28, 2024

by admin Julian Philips Testimonial

I am writing this as you’re speaking to to my daughter.

You are an absolute incredible inspiring person who anyone that comes into contact with you is extremely lucky. As discussed I am very worried and anxious at the moment that my daughter is going to fall massively into depression over her boyfriend when he comes out of prison over the next 2 weeks.

I am fearful she will start to self harm again and miss college due to feeling so low in self esteem (where she has been before) and once September comes she will have no interest in her chosen career path.

I sincerely and truly hope I am proved wrong and her boyfriend has changed for the better and he and my daughter can have a good life.

This is fundamentally and absolutely the reason I hope you can continue to see her.

You have made a massive impact on her life and she speaks very highly of you, as do I. And as her mum it’s so reassuring to know she has you there to talk to in her life and support her from the “outside”, with support being imminent over the next few months.

Please please continue your amazing work and help those lucky children who are fortunate enough to cross your path!

Julian Philips
Mentor

With an extensive 23-year career in the Criminal Justice System, encompassing roles within the prison system and probation, Julian has acquired invaluable expertise. Additionally, he has held a managerial position in the Mental Health sector, further broadening my knowledge and skills. In both his personal and professional life, he is driven by a strong motivation […]

Testimonial 5. –

August 28, 2024

by admin Julian Philips Testimonial

Since my son started getting comfortable talking to you he is much calmer, and his suicidal thoughts are gone. Every week he seems excited to ask you questions.

I sincerely request that you continue talking to him so that his mental health can be kept in good balance.

Thank you for being there!.

Julian Philips
Mentor

Testimonial 3.

August 28, 2024

by admin Julian Philips Testimonial

Hi Julian, thank you for working with y son, the sessions have greatly impacted him in a positive way and I can see the changes in him with how he deals with certain situations and within his friendships, he has taken onboard the advice and mentoring you have given him and I am very grateful that he has had a positive male figure in his life to guide him in his teenage young life because as we all know it can be very challenging and boys especially are just at risk of so many things.

Youth Unity is a brilliant service and the work that is being done with young people is so very needed, the only thing I wish is that there were more activities for the 13 and up teenagers as I feel a lot of them cut them off at 11 and 12 and I don’t think that is fair or right, 13 is such a crucial age in a child’s life and that is the time they need to be stimulated and kept busy so as to keep them off the streets and out of trouble, so pls can activities for 13-16 be looked into as I think it is very important.

Other than that I would be more than happy for you to continue working with my son if possible because I feel he greatly benefits from a male mentor, he looks up to you in a positive way, looks forward to the sessions and I can tell he is taking a lot from it, thank you so much for all that you have done with my son over the past few months it is greatly appreciated.

Julian Philips
Mentor

Testimonial 4.

August 28, 2024

by admin Testimonial Wayne Hill

I finally have a moment to properly express my gratitude.

What can I say? No words seem enough to thank you for everything you’ve done for us. You were there every step of the way, always listening, understanding my desperate situation, and calming me down. You weren’t just a mentor; you became a brother, a friend, a therapist, and a father figure—all in one.

Your support, motivational words, and encouragement helped both me and my son fight through each day, assuring us that things would eventually get better.

There were times I didn’t want to hear anyone’s voice, but you would always come over and show kindness, especially to a boy accused of attempted murder. You gave him the strength to continue being a good person, and you gave me, as a mother, the courage to be the mother I always wanted to be.

You helped us with everything—schools, college, housing, even ideas for my work. You taught me how to take things day by day. I admire you so much, Wayne. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I don’t know if I would be here today to say all this. You literally pulled me out of a dark place.

It’s funny how I felt so wronged by the justice system, yet I’m so grateful at the same time because it led me to you.

You turned our world right-side up when everything was upside down. To my son, you were the father he never had and a true friend. He is the person he is today because of you and the team.

Thank you so much. Please keep being the amazing person you are, because you have a unique ability to help others, showing honesty and good intentions. For people like us, who were lost and found it hard to trust, you made a difference. You listened when we were afraid to speak, gave us confidence, and showed us what could be done without adding to our distress.

We love you, Wayne. Keep up the good work. I hope you understand my words, even though I might not always express myself perfectly.

I’m so grateful to have had the luck of having you and your team help us on this journey. No matter what the future holds, I hope we can stay in touch.

With gratitude,

Wayne Hill
Mentor, Gang Exit Serious Youth Violence

Wayne is a dedicated and passionate advocate in the field of serious youth violence and gang exit work. With over 25 years of experience, he has been at the forefront of efforts to address and mitigate the impact of youth violence and gang-related issues within our communities. Having witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of youth […]

Community-Focused Filming Project on Local Bus Route in Cambridge

August 23, 2024

by admin Film Production New Projects

Over the past few weeks, we have been actively filming and building a storyboard around our community-focused project to document the thoughts and concerns of residents regarding the local bus route. Our objective has been to understand how the bus service is utilised and its significance to the community. By capturing the authentic voices of residents, we have gained a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the impact the bus route has on their daily lives. This project aims to highlight the importance of the bus service and the far-reaching effects its potential removal could have on people of all ages.

Capture Authentic Voices: Through our filming efforts, we have recorded genuine reactions and stories from community members, providing a rich, in-depth perspective that goes beyond what surveys alone can achieve.

Highlight Community Impact: We have focused on the areas around bus stops at risk of closure to illustrate how the potential service cut would affect the local population.

Engage Diverse Demographics: We have ensured representation from all age groups, with a specific strategy for including young people’s voices while respecting privacy concerns.