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Amplifying Voices: Understanding Romford’s Youth and Community

by EssexFilm ProductionLondon Borough of HaveringNew 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.

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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

by BIG LOCALDartford CouncilNew 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.

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

by London Borough of HaveringNew ProjectsOutreach

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.

windsor park

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

by EssexL&QNew ProjectsOutreach

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

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.

Testimonials

Testimonial 6

by Julian PhilipsTestimonial

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!

Testimonials

Testimonial 3.

by Julian PhilipsTestimonial

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.

Testimonials

Testimonial 4.

by TestimonialWayne 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,

Youth Unity CIC

Community-Focused Filming Project on Local Bus Route in Cambridge

by Film ProductionNew 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.

This project is commissioned by Westco and working in partnership with Girl About Social
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Empowering Diversity and Inclusion in Horse Racing at The National Stud

by Horse RacingNew Projects

This project is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within the horse racing community. In collaboration with the British Racing School and with the generous support of The Gerald Leigh Foundation, who offer fully funded opportunities that provided invaluable insights into the horse racing industry. This initiative serves as a gateway for individuals to explore a wide range of career opportunities within the field, with pathways to both education and employment.

In our most recent session held in June, we welcomed 11 young people who demonstrated a strong interest in the industry. We’re proud to share two participants signed up for the six-week induction course at the National Stud, with another three of the group from June went for a two day taster as all want to work with animals, horses particularly.

The two young people we introduced come from Jaywick in Clacton, an area with limited opportunities. Both were diligently volunteering at a farm when they learned about the project through a Youth Unity Mentor. They signed up immediately, eager to seize the chance. Projects like these can truly be life changing. Without this initiative, they might have only looked at similar courses online and found them financially out of reach. Moreover, there’s often a perception that the horse racing industry is reserved for the wealthy, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The industry is full of opportunities, and the people within it are incredibly welcoming to everyone. These courses not only provide comprehensive training but also pave the way to long-term employment. I can’t help but wish I were younger myself!  These courses are funded again by the Gerald Leigh Foundation who really are so supportive of the young people we bring through these programs.

The National Stud is one of the world’s leading providers of education to the Thoroughbred industry. Their graduates are employed globally by renowned breeding enterprises such as Juddmonte Farms, Whitsbury Manor, Darley, and Watership Down. The National Stud team delivers a comprehensive education program throughout the year, designed to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in their chosen field.

With accredited Level 1 to Level 3 courses, there is a program to suit everyone. 

We can not thank this industry enough for the amazing opportunities they are offering … and if you are interested, please get in touch, or complete this registration form and join us in October https://forms.office.com/e/HSfvmbzGyT