Coach spending time mentoring a student athlete.

Youth Unity Mentoring: Guiding Futures, Empowering Lives

by About Us

At Youth Unity, our mentors are the backbone of our work, bringing together a collective wealth of over 100 years of experience in youth support, education, social care, and community engagement. Each mentor comes from a diverse professional background, including teaching, law enforcement, youth work, and mental health support, allowing us to offer a holistic and well-rounded approach to helping young people navigate life’s challenges.

What unites our team is a shared passion and commitment to putting the child at the centre of everything we do. Our mentors understand that every young person is unique, with their own set of experiences, challenges, and aspirations. By building trust, providing guidance, and offering meaningful opportunities, they help young people develop resilience, confidence, and the skills they need to make informed life choices.

Through one-to-one mentoring, group workshops, and community engagement, our mentors provide unwavering support to ensure that no child is left behind. Their extensive knowledge and hands-on experience enable them to adapt their approach to meet each young person’s specific needs, creating a safe space for growth and development.

With a combined dedication that spans decades, Youth Unity mentors are more than just professionals, they are role models, advocates, and trusted allies who truly believe in the potential of every young person they support.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Referral Pathways for Youth Unity Mentoring

Youth Unity receives referrals from a range of statutory and community-based organisations that identify young people in need of support.   These referral pathways ensure that those at risk or facing challenges receive tailored mentoring and intervention at the right time.

Local Authority & Council Referrals

Youth services and early help teams refer those facing family breakdowns, safeguarding risks, or social care involvement.

Can include children in care, at risk of exploitation, or requiring additional emotional/behavioural support.

Statutory & Third-Sector Organisations

Referrals come from social services, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), and safeguarding teams.

Partnered charities and youth-focused organisations refer young people in need of mentorship, intervention, or structured activities.

Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)

Referrals come from youth justice services for young people who are involved in, or at risk of, offending behaviour.

Often linked to diversionary programs to prevent reoffending.

Policing Teams & Community Safety Units

Police and Safer Schools Officers refer young people who have been identified through anti-social behaviour, criminal activity, or gang affiliation.

Can be part of preventative interventions to steer young people away from crime and exploitation.

Schools & Alternative Provisions

Schools refer students struggling with behaviour, attendance, peer relationships, or safeguarding concerns.

Alternative provisions refer young people who are excluded or disengaged from mainstream education.

Contextual safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring young people are supported in the spaces where risks exist. Integrated across all our programs, it allows us to identify vulnerabilities, provide early intervention, and create safer environments.

Key Contacts for Parents Concerned About a Child’s Safety or Involvement in Crime

📞 Police & Emergency Support

  • Emergency (immediate danger): 999
  • Non-Emergency Police (to report concerns or seek advice): 101
  • Crimestoppers (anonymous crime reporting): 0800 555 111

👮‍♂️ Local Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams

  • Contact your local Safer Schools Officer or Youth Engagement Team via your borough police station.
    • You can find contact details through: www.met.police.uk (type in your postcode for local teams)

🛡️ Local Authority & Safeguarding Services

  • Children’s Social Care / MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub):
    • For immediate concerns about a child’s welfare or safety.
    • [Insert Local Authority Name] MASH: [Insert Contact Number & Email]

👩‍⚕️ Child Exploitation & Online Protection (CEOP)

🧒 NSPCC – National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

  • For parents or young people seeking confidential advice or wanting to report abuse.

🏘️ Youth Offending Service (YOS)

  • For support if your child is at risk of or involved in offending.
    • Contact your local borough’s Youth Offending Team via your local council website.

🧠 CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services)

  • If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, anxiety, trauma, or behaviour.
    • Referral usually through GP, school or social services.
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Impact Report 2024

by IMPACT

Youth Unity CIC – Impact Report Summary 2024-2025

At Youth Unity CIC, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background or circumstances. Our 2024-2025 Impact Report highlights the transformative work we’ve achieved, demonstrating our commitment to preventing youth violence, preparing communities for early intervention, and protecting vulnerable young people.

🔹 Our Reach & Achievements

✅ 7,000+ young people supported across London, Essex, and Kent
✅ 450 detached youth sessions providing street-based support
✅ 1:1 mentoring for 100+ young people, transforming lives through guidance and encouragement
✅ 150+ schools engaged, delivering essential education on safeguarding, resilience, and life skills
✅ 400+ accredited training programs, equipping young people with key skills for employment and personal growth
✅ 200+ young people engaged weekly, providing safe spaces and positive role models

Through detached youth work, in-school mentoring, sports programs, and creative workshops, we empower young people to make informed choices, build confidence, and break cycles of disadvantage.

Building Stronger Communities

  • We work collaboratively with statutory agencies, educators, police, and social services to address exploitation, gang involvement, and youth violence.
  • Our mentoring and intervention programs provide long-term support, ensuring young people stay engaged in education, employment, and positive social networks.
  • We’ve expanded our “Unlocking Potential” early intervention program, ensuring young people receive support before reaching crisis points.

Looking Ahead

  • We are expanding services to be more inclusive for girls and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
  • New hubs in Essex and Kent will provide safe, welcoming spaces for young people to access mentorship and community support.
  • Innovative digital outreach through our growing social media and podcasting platforms, ensuring young voices are heard.

This year’s successes are a testament to the power of early intervention, trust, and collaboration. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to creating brighter futures, fostering resilience, and making a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their communities.

Views of the beachfront at Clacton on Sea in Essex in the United Kingdom

Supporting Tendring’s Young People

by ECVYSEssexMentoringNew ProjectsTendring

Supporting Clacton's Young People: Insights from Our Detached Youth Work Sessions

When we first launched our detached youth work sessions in Jaywick back in May 2024, our goal was clear—to provide a safe, supportive space for young people to engage, express themselves, and access the help they need. These sessions quickly became a lifeline for many, offering structured activities, guidance, and a sense of community.

However, as time went on, we realised that our impact could be even greater if we shifted focus. While Jaywick had its needs, we saw a huge opportunity in Clacton Town Centre—a key area where young people naturally gather, socialise, and seek support. So, in September 2024, we took that step, expanding our outreach to Clacton Town Centre and Clacton Leisure Centre to reach more young people where they are.

What We’ve Seen & Done

Jaywick: A Meaningful Start

Our Jaywick sessions introduced football, arts and crafts, and youth discussions, creating a safe environment for young people to relax and open up.

  • We engaged young people from all backgrounds, including those from disadvantaged households and foster care.
  • Some of the young people we met were struggling with education, home life, and self-care, our team stepped in with advice and guidance.
  • We supported a talented gymnast in overcoming financial and transport barriers to attend a local club.
  • Families facing eviction and social challenges found a listening ear and connections to support services.
  • As funding constraints and the colder months set in, we shifted focus to Clacton, while keeping plans in place to restart Jaywick sessions in Spring 2025.

Clacton: Reaching More Young People

Moving to Clacton Town Centre and Clacton Leisure Centre has significantly increased our impact:

  • Town Centre Engagement: We regularly meet young people after school, providing guidance, signposting support, and a trusted presence in their daily routine.
  • Helping Families in Crisis: We met a mother of five living in a hotel due to a house fire. Her daughter, struggling with self-harm and school attendance, needed urgent help.
  • Strengthening Partnerships: Conversations with local police help us identify young people in need and create better support systems.

Skate Park & Leisure Centre: A Hub of Opportunity & Challenges

  • We’ve connected with 25+ young people at the skate park, discussing music, school, and future aspirations.
  • Young people loved the idea of a mobile youth club, which we’re actively exploring.
  • We’ve noticed a growing number of NEET young people (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) spending their days at the skate park. This raises serious concerns about educational oversight and future prospects.
  • Accessibility is a major barrier; many young people can’t afford the Leisure Centre, making public spaces like the skate park even more crucial.
  • Team Kinetix’s free Parkour sessions & hot food were a great idea, but some young people felt left out, a reminder that engagement must be inclusive and youth-led.

The Real Challenges Young People Face

Throughout our work, we’ve heard tough stories and seen real struggles:
🔹 Education Barriers – Some young people haven’t been in full-time education for years due to placement issues, relocation, or bullying.
🔹 Mental Health Concerns; Many express hopelessness about their future, and some spend hours outside in the cold, feeling lost.
🔹 Community & Space Issues; Some young people feel excluded from local facilities due to cost barriers, while others feel pushed out of their spaces when organised activities take over.

However, as time went on, we realised that our impact could be even greater if we shifted focus. While Jaywick had its needs, we saw a huge opportunity in Clacton Town Centre; a key area where young people naturally gather, socialise, and seek support. 

What’s Next? Turning Impact into Action

We’re building on what we’ve learned and taking action to provide even stronger support, subject to us obtaining funding to continue this amazing work.

✅ Expanding Our Presence – We’re introducing a youth engagement van with equipment to make our sessions even more accessible and dynamic.
✅ Collaborating for Change – We’re working with TDC, Connect, and the Leisure Centre to improve accessibility, offer food support, and create aspirational opportunities.
✅ Providing Safe Spaces – We’re pushing for warm, welcoming places where young people can connect, socialise, and get support when they need it.

Why This Work Matters

Our move from Jaywick to Clacton has reinforced one clear truth: young people need trusted adults who show up, listen, and act.

By being present, building trust, and providing real solutions to real problems, we’re helping young people feel seen, valued, and hopeful about their future.

We’re committed to keeping this momentum going—because every young person deserves to feel supported, empowered, and heard.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our journey so far!

Magnifier focuses on the word case study. Education concept.

Case Study 14

by Case StudyPaul RobinsonSandra James

How Youth Unity Transformed a Family’s Struggle into Strength

We want to share how Youth Unity has been an incredible source of support for this family.

As a severely disabled widow with two neurodiverse teenage children, life has been extremely challenging. Over the past year, they have faced significant difficulties due to the behaviour of the teenage son, which was violent, destructive, and incredibly hard to manage at both home and school.

Youth Unity stepped in and provided a safe space for him to open up about his behaviour and the choices he was making. Through these conversations, he has been able to reflect and make more positive decisions, leading to a significant reduction in violence.

But their support didn’t stop there. Youth Unity also recognised the impact on the daughter, ensuring she had access to activities tailored for her, rather than feeling the need to follow in her brother’s footsteps.

For the mother, the support has been invaluable. Youth Unity has stayed in regular contact, listening without judgment, validating her as a parent, and giving her the strength to keep going—even on the hardest days. Parents facing violent or challenging behavior from their children often feel ashamed and withdraw from others, which is exactly what happened in this case. Youth Unity helped break that isolation, reminding her that she and her needs matter just as much as her children’s.

There is still a long journey ahead, made even more difficult by the long waiting times for professional services like CAMHS to provide therapy. Youth Unity has been there during this waiting period, offering the crucial support families need when they feel like there’s nowhere else to turn.

The experience with Youth Unity has been nothing but positive, and their work has made a real difference for this family.

Testimonials

Testimonial 9

by Julian PhilipsTestimonial

Since his time with us Paul’s input has been invaluable.  His determination to help our young people and real life examples ensure that he fosters a good rapport with our hard to reach students.

His real life grit and authenticity ensures that he is able to reason with our pupils and achieve desired outcomes and next steps in their lives and Education.

Paul provides our pupils with real life examples of his own past, as well as trying to make his stories relevant to their lives and the demographic that we serve.  Youth Unity is an asset to have in our arsenal of services that we use to help young people.  

Clare Bedford Safeguarding Tendring Technology College (Lift Tendring)

Testimonials

Testimonial 8

by Julian PhilipsTestimonial

Having Youth Unity work with some of our most challenging students has been an incredibly valuable intervention. Sandra and Paul have built a fantastic rapport with the students they connect with at Lift Clacton, engaging them in meaningful conversations on a wide range of topics, issues, and concerns. They provide thoughtful advice while teaching vital skills such as resilience and effective strategies for managing challenges.

Our students genuinely look forward to their weekly sessions with Sandra and Paul, finding tremendous value in the one-to-one support they receive. What’s even more remarkable is their flexibility and willingness to adapt their approach to meet the needs of our students. For example, they often facilitate group sessions for two students when one of them is feeling particularly vulnerable or anxious, creating a supportive and collaborative environment that meets individual needs.

Sandra and Paul’s deep understanding of our students and their families within the community is invaluable. Their insights and collaboration equip us as staff to better support both the students and their families in meaningful and informed ways.

We are incredibly grateful to Sandra and Paul for their ongoing commitment, not only to our students at Lift Clacton but also to building strong, collaborative relationships with our staff. 

Thank you for the positive impact you continue to have on our school community.

Debrah-Anne Hilton

Pastoral Leader

Lift Clacton 

Testimonials

Testimonial 7

by Julian PhilipsTestimonial

In 2024, I engaged Youth Unity to provide intensive one-to-one mentoring and support for a young person facing significant challenges. This young person was at the center of ongoing domestic incidents in the home, which began to spill into the wider community. As a result, both the young person and their sibling became involved in anti-social behavior, escalating tensions within the local area.

The impact of this anti-social behavior was profound, not only straining relationships in the community but also leading to a backlash against their mother, who faced additional pressure and distress. Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, I referred the family to Youth Unity, who stepped in to provide tailored support and mentoring.

Youth Unity is now actively working with the young person and their family, focusing on rebuilding trust, addressing the root causes of the behavior, and fostering positive change. Their involvement has been invaluable in helping to stabilize the family dynamic and alleviate tensions within the community.

PC Con Bowen – CYP Officer Essex Police

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Case Study 11

by Case Study

Supporting a Young Person Back into Education

A 13-year-old male was referred to Youth Unity by his mother, seeking support with education and mentoring. The young person was struggling with low self-esteem, emotional regulation, and was at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour (ASB) due to mixing with other young people who were not in compulsory education.

The young person has been diagnosed with ADHD and is suspected to have undiagnosed dyslexia. During his time at a small village primary school, his behaviour was managed effectively through tailored interventions, such as allowing him to run around the field when he became frustrated in the classroom. However, the transition to secondary school proved overwhelming. In Year 7, he faced numerous fixed-term exclusions due to challenges in adjusting to the new environment.

Concerned for his mental health, his mother decided it was not in his best interests to return to the school in Year 8, opting instead for elective home education. Recognising the challenges associated with this decision, she sought help from Youth Unity to provide mentoring and educational support.

Since engaging with Youth Unity, the young person has participated in regular mentoring sessions, and support has been provided to help him rebuild his confidence and develop strategies to manage his emotions. In February, following months of guidance and encouragement, the young person made the decision to return to mainstream education. Youth Unity remains committed to supporting him during this transition and has offered to continue working with him, especially if he begins with a part-time timetable to ease back into the school environment.

This case highlights the importance of tailored support and mentoring in helping young people overcome barriers to education and emotional well-being. Through consistent engagement and a personalized approach, Youth Unity has helped this young person take a significant step towards rebuilding his educational journey and improving his future prospects.

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Case Study 10

by Case Study

Supporting a Young Person in Crisis

A 13-year-old male was referred to Youth Unity by an Essex Police CYP Officer following concerns about his involvement in anti-social behavior (ASB), domestic violence (DV) towards his mother and younger sister, child criminal exploitation (CCE), and substance misuse. This case highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable families and the critical role of early intervention and consistent support.

The family has been subject to child protection (CP) measures for the third time since 2016, reflecting the ongoing complexity of their circumstances. The young person had been placed on a managed move to another local school, but unfortunately, this placement was unsuccessful, and he has since returned to his original school. At present, there are 48 active investigations related to domestic violence towards his mother and sister.

The young person is also awaiting treatment through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) following a referral made four months ago. However, he is not expected to be seen for at least another six months, leaving the family to navigate these challenges without sufficient mental health support. The case is currently being handled by a Social Care Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Youth Unity began working with the young person and his family in October, 2024. Since then, we have provided intensive support through a variety of interventions, including:

  • 6 Home Visits
  • 20+ Calls and messages to Mum
  • 1 Box Smart session attended by the entire family
  • 1 School-based 1:1 session with the young person
  • Attendance at 3 Social Care meetings

The impact of this support has been evident. During a Core Group Meeting, the young person’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying: “I really appreciate your [Youth Unity’s] support and all you are trying to do for us.”

Similarly, the young person has responded positively to the engagement, stating to his CYP Officer and Senior Social Worker: “I like Paul and want to work with him. I’d really like to go fishing with him and my Mum.”

This case demonstrates the importance of providing holistic and consistent support for families in crisis. Through regular engagement, tailored interventions, and collaboration with other agencies, Youth Unity continues to work towards creating a pathway for this young person and his family to move forward in a positive and sustainable way.