Shirley Jackson, Author at Youth Unity

Elm Park Outreach

13/01/2026

by Shirley Jackson LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING Outreach

At Youth Unity, we believe that supporting young people means doing more than just providing activities — it means creating spaces where they feel safe, welcomed, listened to, and understood. That is exactly what our weekly Youth Sessions in Elm Park are designed to do.

Running every Friday from our mobile youth van on The Broadway, Elm Park, these sessions offer a relaxed and friendly environment where young people can drop in, socialise, and take part in positive activities including gaming, music, and informal group challenges — with hot drinks and conversation always on offer. But the real value of these sessions goes far beyond what is on board the van.

A Safe Space, Led by Trusted Adults

Our sessions are staffed by experienced youth workers and trusted adults who understand the challenges many young people face. This means young people are not only engaging in fun activities, but also have access to supportive adults who can listen, offer guidance, and signpost to further help when needed.

Conversations often naturally touch on topics that affect young people’s daily lives — from school pressures and friendships to wellbeing, safety, and future opportunities. Having trusted adults present in a non-judgemental setting allows young people to open up in ways they often cannot in more formal environments.

Listening to What Young People Actually Want and Need

A key part of our approach is listening. These sessions give us the opportunity to build real relationships and better understand what young people in the local area are experiencing, what they enjoy, and what support they feel is missing.

By spending consistent time in the community, we can shape future projects around what young people tell us they want — whether that is creative opportunities, sports, mentoring, or access to specialist support. This youth-led insight is essential to making sure services are relevant, effective, and genuinely helpful.

Building Community, Not Just Services

We also see these sessions as a way to strengthen connections across the wider community. Parents, carers, and local residents regularly stop by to talk with the team, ask questions, and learn more about the support available for young people.

We actively welcome community involvement and believe that positive relationships between young people and local residents are vital for building safer, stronger neighbourhoods. When young people are seen, supported, and included, it helps shift perceptions and encourages mutual respect and understanding.

Working in Partnership

These sessions are supported by the London Borough of Havering and form part of our wider commitment to early intervention and community-based youth work across the borough. By working in partnership with local authorities, schools, and other services, we are able to connect young people to the right support at the right time.

Looking Ahead

Our aim is not only to provide a safe place to spend time, but to use these sessions as a foundation for longer-term engagement, mentoring, and development opportunities. We want young people to feel that Youth Unity is somewhere they can turn to not just for activities, but for support, encouragement, and opportunities to grow.

We hope the local community will continue to get involved, say hello, and help us build a positive, supportive environment where young people feel valued and heard.

If you see the big black van on The Broadway on a Friday afternoon, come and say hello we would love to meet you.

Police Christmas Choir

14/12/2025

by Shirley Jackson News & Updates

An Evening of Reflection and Partnership at Westminster Abbey

Last night, members of the Youth Unity CIC team were honoured to attend the Metropolitan Police Annual Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey, following a kind invitation from our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police.

Set within the incredible surroundings of the Abbey, the evening created a warm and reflective atmosphere, bringing together partners, frontline professionals and community organisations to mark the end of another demanding year of public service. The carols, readings and shared moments of quiet reflection offered a chance to pause, reconnect and recognise the collective effort that goes into keeping our communities safe and supported.

At Youth Unity, partnership working sits at the heart of everything we do. Our collaboration with police, councils, schools and community services allows us to reach young people earlier, provide positive opportunities, and build trusted relationships that support long-term change. Events like this are an important reminder that behind every programme and every intervention are people who care deeply about young people and their futures.

We would like to thank the Metropolitan Police for the invitation and for hosting such a thoughtful and welcoming event. It was a genuinely lovely way to step into the festive season and reflect on the value of working together.

As the year comes to a close, we want to wish all of our partners, young people, families and supporters a peaceful and joyful holiday period, and we look forward to continuing our work together in the new year.

KAILO Session 1

11/12/2025

by Shirley Jackson KAILO

Kailo Small Circle – Session 1: Building Trust and Starting the Journey

Our first Kailo Small Circle session marked the beginning of an exciting journey, bringing together a group of young people — many of whom had never met before — to start working together on issues that matter to them and their community. From the moment everyone arrived, the atmosphere was positive, welcoming and full of energy, and it was clear very quickly that the group was beginning to gel.

The session focused on forming the group and building trust, helping everyone feel comfortable, respected and ready to take part. Through icebreakers, group discussions and shared activities, young people were encouraged to get to know one another, find common ground and start building relationships. Despite being a brand-new group, there was a strong sense of openness and mutual respect, with young people engaging confidently and supporting each other’s contributions.

A key part of the session was introducing what Kailo is all about and why the group will be working together over the coming months. Young people learned that they will be exploring an “opportunity area” linked to feeling welcomed, valued and connected in their community, and that their experiences and ideas will shape what happens next. The facilitators explained how the Small Circle process gives young people real influence, not just to talk about issues, but to help design solutions that can lead to wider change.

The group also worked together to create their own ways of working agreement, setting out how they want to treat each other, how to keep the space safe, and how everyone can feel confident sharing their views. This was an important moment in giving young people ownership of the space and reinforcing that this is a group built on trust, respect and listening to one another.

To keep the conversation going between sessions, young people were given a creative task called “Visual Voice”, where they were asked to take photos in their local area that show both challenges and positive spaces, helping them reflect on what community and belonging really mean to them. This will feed directly into future sessions as the group begins to explore issues more deeply and map where change could happen.

Overall, Session 1 was a strong and encouraging start. Young people engaged fully, supported one another, and quickly formed connections, setting the tone for the months ahead. We are incredibly proud of how positively the group came together and are excited to continue this journey with them as they move into the next stage of discovery and co-design.

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Kings Garden Party 2025

14/08/2025

by Shirley Jackson News & Updates

Youth Unity CIC at the King’s Garden Party — A Day We’ll Never Forget

This year, Youth Unity CIC had the incredible honour of being invited to attend the King’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of the work we do with young people and communities across our local areas.

It was one of those moments where you stop, look around, and think… how did we get here? From community centres, school halls, street-based outreach and youth clubs, to standing in the gardens of the Palace — it was truly a day we will never forget.

We were lucky enough to be given two tickets, which, if we’re honest, felt both amazing and slightly cruel — because if it were up to us, we would have brought the whole Youth Unity team along. But let’s be realistic… the King may have been slightly overwhelmed if our entire staff team, mentors, coaches and youth workers had all turned up together!

One of the highlights of the day was seeing His Majesty the King up close and in person, something neither of us will ever quite get over. It was a powerful reminder that the work happening every day in local communities — often quietly, behind the scenes — really does matter and is being noticed.

For us, this invitation wasn’t just about a special day out. It was about recognition of:

the dedication of our frontline staff and volunteers
the trust placed in us by young people and families
the strength of our partnerships with councils, police, schools and community organisations
and the belief that early support, positive opportunities and strong relationships can change lives

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Youth Unity along the way — from funders and commissioners, to local partners, parents, and most importantly the young people who allow us to walk alongside them in their journeys.

So yes… we had an amazing day, we enjoyed the sunshine, we soaked up the atmosphere, and we came home feeling proud, motivated, and even more committed to continuing the work we do.

And next time, Your Majesty… we’ll try not to bring the whole team. Probably.

Tomiwa Amao
Youth Worker

01/01/2023

by Shirley Jackson Team Members

Tomiwa is a passionate and engaging youth worker with hands-on experience leading and mentoring young people through structured programmes. As an NCS Youth Engagement Leader, he supported groups of 15–17-year-olds to build confidence, develop self-esteem, and achieve personal goals through a mix of activities, discussions, and reflective sessions .

Known for his ability to connect with young people from diverse backgrounds, Tomiwa creates safe, inclusive spaces where young people feel heard, supported, and empowered. He has experience working with young people with additional needs, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence, adaptability, and safeguarding awareness.

With a background in finance and strong organisational skills, Tomiwa brings a reliable and structured approach to youth work, balancing energy and creativity with consistency and care. He is committed to helping young people grow, make positive choices, and reach their full potential.

Mike
Youth Worker

01/01/2023

by Shirley Jackson Team Members

Mike is a dedicated youth worker who uses sport and physical activity as a powerful way to engage and support young people. With a strong passion for fitness, he delivers high-energy sessions that encourage participation, build confidence, and promote positive lifestyle choices.

Through activities such as football, basketball, and group fitness, Mike creates an inclusive environment where young people can develop teamwork, discipline, and resilience. His sessions are structured but fun, giving young people the opportunity to stay active while building strong peer relationships and a sense of belonging.

Mike understands that sport is more than just physical activity — it’s a tool for connection. He uses it to open up conversations around wellbeing, mindset, and personal growth, helping young people feel supported both on and off the pitch.

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