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Empowering Youth Through Boxing and Fitness Sessions in Debden

We’re pumped to announce free weekly boxing and fitness coaching sessions just for young people aged 11 to 16 in the Debden area of Epping! Whether you’re looking to get active, learn new skills, or just try something fun, this is your chance to get involved.

👊 What’s in it for you?

  • Learn awesome boxing moves and boost your fitness.
  • Train with top coaches in a safe, friendly space.
  • Meet new mates and have a blast while staying active!

Who can join?
These sessions are open to both girls and boys aged 11–16. No experience? No problem! Just bring your energy and we’ll take care of the rest.

11 to 13 year olds Monday 4.30 to 5.30pm

14 to 16 year olds Friday 4.30pm to 5.30pm

📆 When and Where?
Two sessions a week, kicking off from 10th February through to the end of March. Don’t miss your chance to get involved in this epic pilot project!

Dennis & Dyer Boxing Gym 30 Barrington Grn, Debden, Loughton IG10 (on the corner of Debden High Street)

💥 It’s completely FREE!
All you need to do is register (so we can get parental permissions sorted). Don’t worry if you can’t sign up straight away – just drop in, grab the forms, and join the next session once registered.

This project, proudly funded by ECVYS, is all about giving young people in Debden a positive way to stay active and connected. Don’t miss out – grab your friends, get involved, and make this your time to shine!

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New Youth Hub Opens in Romford to Support Young People

This week (29th January) marked the official launch of our brand-new youth hub in Romford, a vital initiative made possible thanks to the generous support of Transport for London (TFL) and the Havering Community Service Partnership Team, with funding provided by the Violence Reduction Unit (MOPAC). This space has been created to offer young people a safe and welcoming environment, where they can access mentoring, guidance, and support.

At the hub, we provide 1:1 mentoring for young people aged 14 to 25 through referrals. Our professional youth workers are dedicated to creating a positive and engaging space, offering support on a range of topics, from education and career advice to personal development and well-being. Whether they need a listening ear, help navigating challenges, or just a space to feel safe, we are here to support them.

However, the long-term success of this project relies on the involvement of local businesses and community members. By working together, we can create a meaningful and lasting impact, steering young people away from negative influences and towards opportunities that empower them to succeed. We invite local businesses and organisations to support this initiative and help us provide the best possible future for young people in our community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended the launch and showed their support. Your involvement makes all the difference.

If you would like to learn more about our mentoring program or explore ways to support the hub, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can create a safer and brighter future for our young people.

For more information, please contact shirley@youthunity.org

 Artwork: Cize-one

Photos: The Havering Daily

Youth Unity

Romford Outreach

At Youth Unity, we’re proud to be working on a new project funded by the Community Recovery Fund (CRF). This initiative is all about creating safer spaces, preventing issues before they happen, and building stronger relationships between young people and their communities.

What’s Happening in Romford Town Centre?

Romford is a busy town with lots going on, but it’s also an area that faces challenges. Over the past few years, we’ve been running activities that have made a real difference to young people and local businesses.

What We’re Doing:

  • Continuing our Wednesday afternoon youth sessions until March 2025.
  • Chatting with young people and businesses to build relationships and make the area feel safer.
  • Running fun and positive activities to keep young people engaged and connected.

Why This Matters

We want young people in Romford to feel safe, supported, and inspired to achieve their goals. This project is about:

  • Giving them opportunities to learn and have fun.
  • Reducing anti-social behavior and violence.
  • Building stronger connections between young people, local businesses, and the wider community.

By working together, we can create spaces where young people feel they belong, where they can thrive, and where the community feels stronger than ever.

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Creating Safer Spaces: Supporting Young People in Hildene

Youth Unity is proud to be working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police on the Our Harold Hill: Clear Hold Build initiative.

Part of this project is to create safe spaces for young people in Harold Hill, offering them a place to come together, engage in positive activities, and build a sense of community.

By providing support, resources, and opportunities, this initiative aims to empower young people, reduce anti-social behaviour, and foster a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone. Together, we are committed to making Harold Hill a place where young people feel safe, valued, and inspired to thrive.

Read this full article regarding the The Clear Hold Build project.

Are you interested in being part of the Henry project? Booking form

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Padnall Hall Art Mural Project: A Community Vision Comes to Life

At Youth Unity, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for young people and their communities to express themselves through creativity. The Padnall Hall Art Mural Project is an inspiring example of how art can bring people together, share local stories, and enhance community spaces.

This project, centered around the hoarding of the new Padnall Hall Youth Centre, is being shaped entirely by community voices and will reflect the rich culture, history, and aspirations of the local area.

Why This Matters

The Padnall Hall Art Mural Project is more than just an artwork; it’s a celebration of the local community’s identity and values. It serves as a symbol of unity, bringing people together to create something lasting and meaningful.

As the new youth centre takes shape, this mural will build excitement for what’s to come: a space where young people can connect, grow, and thrive.

Our Process: Listening to the Community

To ensure the mural truly represents the community, the project was designed in three key phases:

Outreach & Street Interviews

Our outreach teams connected directly with local residents, gathering their thoughts and ideas through voice and video interviews.

A short documentary will highlight these community insights, showcasing the vision behind the project.

Workshops – “Your Community Voice”

Workshops were held in schools and local settings to gather feedback on themes, imagery, and ideas for the mural.

Surveys were distributed to encourage participation from all age groups, ensuring the mural reflects an intergenerational perspective.

Art Installation

Using the community’s input, the mural will be brought to life, transforming the site into a vibrant and inspiring focal point.

This project will also build bonds within the community and promote excitement for the new Padnall Hall Youth Centre.

What the Community Had to Say

Through 71 surveys and direct engagement, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Here’s what we discovered:

Why a Mural Matters:

83% of respondents said a mural is highly important for the local area.

88% believe it should represent the local community’s residents.

Themes People Want to See:

54%: The diverse cultural landscape of the area.

50%: Community life.

49%: Local culture and history.

Style and Feel:

65% wanted the artwork to be bright and vibrant, showcasing the dynamic energy of the youth centre and its young people.

83% advocated for incorporating positive and inspirational messages.

Community Ideas & Messages

During outreach, we gathered some truly meaningful suggestions for what the mural should include:

Symbols of unity, diversity, and communication to attract and inspire people.

Imagery of local history and buildings that reflect the area’s heritage.

Messages of kindness and hope, such as:

“You are important.”

“Believe in yourself – you can achieve great things.”

“Persevere – success is about rising every time you fall.”

These contributions reflect the community’s pride, resilience, and desire for a space that uplifts and inspires everyone.

Click here to find out more about the artist Cize_One

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Youth centre closures linked to greater risk of young people entering criminal justice system

Whilst youth services have been cut by 77% over more than a decade, violent offences among young people remain at unacceptably high levels warn the National Youth Agency (NYA), in its latest report, The social cost of youth work cuts: Preventing youth offending through youth work, published at the start of Youth Work Week, from 6 -12 November. Despite these startling figures, it costs four times more for a young person to enter the criminal justice system (£200,000 by the age of 16), than it does for them to avoid it through youth work provision (less than £50,000). (1)

The social cost of youth work report provides an analysis of 74 sources of academic literature and research evidence relating to the impact of youth work on young people in contact with the youth justice system. The report shows a clear association between reduced funding for youth provision and an increase in crime rates for some young people. 

Despite this, open access youth service expenditure has been disproportionately affected by austerity cuts. Furthermore, young people themselves are crying out for safe spaces with 24% of young respondents to a recent survey by the youth charity OnSide, reporting that they do not have a safe space to go to where they feel they belong. (2)

Whilst convictions have fallen by a third, for every 1,000 children in the population, 4.6 are still in the youth justice system, and their needs are becoming increasingly complex in the wake of the pandemic, as mental health rates soar and amid a cost-of-living crisis. (3)

Meanwhile, youth work saves £500 million on public spending through crime reduction alone and social return on investment research reveals that £1 investment in youth work is estimated to return £3.20 – £6.40 of value. (4)

The report cites the 2020 All-Party Parliamentary Group for Knife Crime focused on the impact of youth centre closures across the country, which revealed that each reduction in the number of youth centres corresponded to an increase in knife crime. This trend is echoed in a PhD study, completed earlier this year, which reviewed London youth centre provision published in 2023 by Carmen Villa-Llera, in the Economics Observatory at the University of Warwick. The research found that crime participation amongst 10-15 year olds increased by 10% in those London boroughs affected most by youth centre closures between 2010-2019. Furthermore, young people in these areas are 12% more likely to be suspended from school since the reduction in youth provision. (5)

Examples of where youth work is having a positive impact on youth crime rates, include the Linx Youth Project, Middlesbrough, which saw a significant reduction in crime amongst young people as a result of youth workers delivering support in the community (detached youth work), with the number of first-time entrants to youth justice decreasing by 79% over a four year period from 2016 to 2020. Furthermore, the project evaluation found that the social impact value for the service is £5.50 for every £1 invested. (6)

Meanwhile a Redthread youth work team working in the Emergency Department at St Mary’s hospital has brought about a 59% reduction in young people’s involvement with violence, and 37% reduction in involvement with crime, as a direct result of their engagement with a youth worker in the hospital.  (7)

The launch of The social cost of youth work cuts report from National Youth Agency coincides with their annual Youth Work Week national campaign, which this year is focussing on the added value that youth workers bring to the outcomes of young people through providing their particular support in a range of contexts and professional settings.  

Leigh Middleton, Chief Executive, National Youth Agency, said: “A lack of youth work isn’t just failing our young people, it’s also putting a strain on the public purse. Where youth workers are working in partnership with other allied professionals such as prison officer, youth offending teams, healthcare workers and teachers, we know that they are able to use their particular set of skills to capitalise on that ‘reachable moment’ and work with, and for, the young person to help them recognise that they can make positive choices about their future lives. 

“The NYA is working to build back the skills and capacity of the sector working closely with our academic and training partners, and through schemes such as the DCMS funded bursary and leveraging the government’s apprenticeship levy to enhance opportunities to attract people to youth work and to retain and upskill those already working in the sector.” 
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Empowering Futures: Transformative Educational Programs at Limes Farm Primary School – PFCC

In an inspiring initiative aimed at fostering positive development among young people, Youth Unity CIC www.youthunity.org  in partnership with Limes Farm Primary School has successfully implemented a comprehensive program that combines transition-based education, one-to-one mentoring, and engaging after-school activities. This innovative approach has also been designed to support students during critical hours between 3pm and 6pm, often referred to as the “lost hours,” when many children are most vulnerable to negative influences.
 
At the heart of this program is the recognition that the transition from primary to secondary school can be a challenging period for many students. By integrating tailored educational support with dedicated mentoring, Youth Unity CIC has looked to enhance academic achievement but also equipping pupils with the social skills and resilience needed to navigate their formative years. The one-to-one mentoring sessions provide personalised guidance, helping pupils set goals, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of self-worth.
 
The after-school activities play a crucial role in keeping young people engaged in positive pursuits. From sports and arts to academic clubs and life skills workshops, these activities offer students a constructive outlet for their energy and creativity. Importantly, they also serve as a deterrent against anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminal exploitation, which can often arise during unstructured time.
 
There has been reports of a reduction in ASB and criminal exploitation in the area since the program’s inception. By providing a safe and supportive environment, Youth Unity CIC is not only addressing immediate concerns but also laying the groundwork for a brighter future for its students. The skills and experiences gained during these formative years are invaluable as students prepare to transition to secondary school, instilling a sense of responsibility and community engagement that will serve them well throughout their lives.
 
Parents and guardians have expressed their welcomed the initiative, highlighting the positive changes they have observed in their children. Increased attendance, improved behaviour, and a newfound enthusiasm for learning are just a few of the benefits that have emerged from this holistic approach to education.
 
As the program continues to evolve, Youth Unity CIC remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment that prioritiSes the well-being for those participants. By combining transition-based education, personalised mentorship, and enriching after-school activities, Youth unity CIC IS not only preparing young people for secondary education but also empowering them to become positive contributors to their community.

Simeon“in every challenge a young person may face, there lies an opportunity for growth. My role is to help and them see that and work towards a positive future”

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Showcasing Our New Artwork at Romford Unity Hub

This week has been truly special at the Romford Unity Hub as we unveiled a new, vibrant piece of art to mark our official opening. The response from the community has been incredible, with people of all ages stopping by to admire the creativity on display.

The new artwork, designed to embody the spirit of unity and community, was painted with great care and attention by the talented artist Cize_One, symbolising our commitment to making the hub a welcoming and safe space for all. This initiative was made possible through our partnership with Havering Council’s Community Safety Partnership. During the process, we received enthusiastic feedback from passersby. Families, young people, and even the local police paused to watch the painting take shape, sharing words of praise and excitement. It was heartening to witness such positivity and support from the local community.

We hope this colourful addition will serve as a beacon, drawing in young people from Romford and beyond. Our vision for the Romford Unity Hub is to create a vibrant environment where young individuals can come to feel safe, seek advice, and enjoy spending time together. The new mural is just the beginning, representing the promise of growth, creativity, and collaboration.

As we continue to develop this space, we invite everyone to come and see the art, explore what the hub has to offer, and join in our journey. The Romford Unity Hub is now open, and we are excited to welcome the community to be part of this shared experience. We are also pleased to announce that we will be holding a soft launch in December, providing an opportunity for more people to visit and celebrate the start of this new chapter with us.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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