London Borough of Havering Archives

Community Day

10/09/2025

by admin Community Development London Borough of Havering New Projects

The Harold Hill Community Fun Day at Central Park was an incredible event, bringing local families, young people, and partners together for a day full of fun, connection, and community spirit.

Organised and driven by the Metropolitan Police, the day showcased the power of partnership working. All our partners were present, and it was fantastic to see so many familiar faces from the community we regularly engage with through our detached youth work.

From bouncy castles, face painting, and live music to meeting local emergency services, there was something for everyone. Beyond the activities, the real success of the day was the way it strengthened relationships across the community. These moments of coming together are vital for building trust, creating positive connections, and showing young people and families that support is always here when needed.

At Youth Unity CIC, we are proud to support events like these. They give us the opportunity to meet residents in a positive environment, listen to their voices, and continue to work hand in hand with the police, schools, and local partners to make a lasting impact.

As you can see from the photos and interviews, the day was more than just an event — it was a celebration of community. We look forward to being part of many more.

Local Action to Improve Youth Wellbeing in Havering

12/08/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering New Projects School Workshops Workshops & Training

Local Action to Improve Youth Wellbeing in Havering

Youth Unity CIC will be delivering the Havering Youth Wellbeing Engagement Programme for the London Borough of Havering building on insights from the Havering Youth Wellbeing Census using the #BeeWell survey

The programme include two key initiatives:

Youth engagement in schools
Kailo (delivered in partnership with UCLPartners).

Both initiatives will involve working closely with schools, community partners, and local families to ensure that the voices of young people in Havering are truly heard and acted upon. We believe that meaningful change comes when generations work together. That is why this programme will not only focus on youth engagement but also bring different generations together fostering understanding, respect, and shared purpose between young people and the wider community.

What’s involved?

Young people will use creative tools and activities in schools to explore the Havering Youth Wellbeing Census results around mental health and wellbeing, sharing ideas on how local leaders and services can better support them.
Already delivered in Newham and North Devon, Kailo is a framework aimed at helping local communities, young people and public service partnerships better understand and address the root causes (and wider determinants) of young people’s mental health. Young people will take part in a series of interactive workshops and work with local leaders to identify opportunities for improvement and co-design solutions.

What’s next?

The programme begins with a preparation phase in August 2025, followed by delivery from October 2025 to April 2026. We’re committed to working in partnership with the London Borough of Havering, schools, and community organisations to create positive, lasting change for young people in Havering.

Stay tuned for updates, stories, and opportunities to get involved as we move forward.

Redbridge Summer

28/07/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering London Borough of Redbridge New Projects

This summer, Youth Unity is proud to bring our Media Van and Youth Outreach Team to Manford Way Open Space, Ilford as part of the Redbridge Summer Program – and it’s completely FREE for young people! We will also be running some street based walk abouts through the week to reach as many young people as possible.

We’re not just here for fun (though we promise there’s plenty of that). Our mission goes deeper it’s about empowering young people, offering alternatives to crime, and supporting those who need it most.

💡 What’s This All About?

Youth Unity is on a mission to reach and support children and young people (CYP) at risk of criminal exploitation. We’re out in areas with little youth provision, offering sports, gaming, music, creative arts, and most importantly – someone to talk to.

🎯 Our Key Objectives

We’re here to:

💬 Engage young people who may be at risk or vulnerable to negative influences.
🛤️ Guide them towards positive, fun, and life-building activities.
Be present in spaces where support is often lacking.
Gather insight into local youth trends, emerging risks, and hotspots for crime or antisocial behaviour.
Adapt to where young people are – we go where the need is.
Escalate serious concerns to the right authorities when needed.

🕒 When & Where?

We’ll be out and about at least twice a week regularly at:
Manford Way Open Space, 81 Woodman Path, Ilford IG6 3AX
🕧 Time: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM, every Thursday and various time through the week on street based walk about on Orchard Estate.

Our times and locations may shift depending on when and where young people are gathering we’re flexible so we can make the biggest impact. But you’ll always see familiar faces from our team out in the community.

Why It Matters

Too many young people are falling through the cracks. Some don’t have anywhere safe to go. Others are at risk of being drawn into crime or exploitation.

By being visible, relatable, and consistent, Youth Unity offers an alternative – a path to connection, creativity, and community.

👏 Supported By

We’re grateful to have the support of Redbridge Council, helping us make this intervention possible.

Together, we’re offering a safe space for young people – and building a better, safer community for all.

Commencing: 31st July 2025

Harold Hill

25/07/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering New Projects Peabody Housing

🌞 Harold Hill Summer Program: Free Activities for Young People This Summer!

We’re excited to announce our Harold Hill Summer Program, a series of free weekly sessions for young people aged 12 to 18. These sessions are designed to provide a safe, fun, and supportive environment during the school holidays—using the power of sport, gaming, music, and arts to inspire positive change.

📍 Locations & Times

Mondays – Central Park (Next to the basketball courts), 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Fridays – Hilldene Shops (Farnham Road), 4:00pm – 6:30pm

Backed by the Metropolitan Police and delivered by Youth Unity CIC, these sessions are more than just fun and games. They’re built around a proven approach to engagement, mentoring, and youth development, with trained youth workers and a mobile outreach unit on site.

What’s on offer?

🏀 Sports & fitness activities
🎮 Gaming and competitions
🎨 Creative arts and music
🎤 Informal mentoring and conversations
🚐 Access to our fully equipped Mobile Youth Hub

We’ve designed this program with inclusion in mind—whether you’re into sports, creative arts, or just need a safe space to hang out, there’s something for everyone.

Why Harold Hill?
Harold Hill continues to be a key area of focus in our community work, and thanks to our strong local partnerships and support from the Havering Metropolitan Police, we’ve been able to expand our reach with this exciting summer provision. We’re proud to be a trusted grassroots organisation working directly with young people, families, and local services to build a safer and more positive environment as part of the “Our Harold Hill” Clear Hold Build initiative.

Let’s make this summer one to remember 🌟

Commencing: 28th July 2025

Safer Neighbourhood Havering Summer

25/06/2025

by admin Essex County London Borough of Havering New Projects Outreach

We’re excited to announce that Youth Unity has been awarded funding to deliver a 14-week Detached Outreach Programme in Romford, launching on 4th July.

This project marks a return to the heart of the borough, where we’ll be delivering targeted mobile youth work through our Mobile Intervention Outreach Service, designed to engage young people directly within their communities.

Working in partnership with the Community Safety Team at Havering Council, our outreach will take place in key areas identified as priorities, offering trusted, street-based support that is both responsive and proactive.

What We’re Delivering:

Our sessions will feature a mix of positive activities, including:

Table Tennis
Music
Gaming
Street Chess

These activities are more than just recreation they’re powerful tools for engagement, relationship-building, and early intervention, proven to reduce anti-social behaviour and provide safer spaces for young people at risk of isolation or exploitation.

This programme offers not just structured support, but a safe, inclusive space where young people can express themselves, build confidence, and connect with positive role models.

We’re proud to return to Romford with this vital work and with the support of this funding, we’re ready to make a real, lasting impact.

women leaders celebrate international women day

W.A.V.E, Women Advocating Violence Elimination

12/05/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering New Projects WAVE Project

A Powerful New Project Supporting Young Women in Havering

Youth Unity, in partnership with The Third Space Youth, is proud to launch W.A.V.E. (Women Advocating Violence Elimination) a new mentoring and empowerment initiative supporting young women across the London Borough of Havering. Working with the MyEndz project in Havering’s Community Safety Team.

This project was developed in direct response to conversations with over 40 young women from the borough, who highlighted the urgent need for safe, inclusive spaces and better representation. W.A.V.E. FORWARD addresses those needs by providing support, skill-building opportunities, and a platform for youth voice.

What the Programme Offers

Delivered jointly by Youth Unity and The Third Space Youth, W.A.V.E. FORWARD includes one-to-one mentoring, group workshops, and creative youth-led engagement to:

Provide a safe space to explore identity, relationships, confidence, and wellbeing
Build life skills and resilience through trauma-informed mentoring
Educate young people on issues such as violence against women, peer pressure, and online safety
Launch a youth-led podcast platform in collaboration with Havering Youth Council
Establish a team of Violence Against Women Ambassadors to lead peer advocacy and community awareness campaigns

Why This Matters

Young women in Havering continue to face challenges including harassment, exploitation, and limited access to support that reflects their lived experience. Many feel silenced or overlooked both within their communities and by the systems around them. W.A.V.E. provides not only support, but a space for growth, leadership, and long-term change.

Delivery and Impact

This project is delivered by experienced female mentors trained in trauma-informed practice, youth safety, and exploitation awareness. Mentors work with young women aged 11 to 25 through both outreach and site-based sessions at the Romford Youth Hub.

Our partnership approach ensures the support is community-led, culturally aware, and reflective of the voices we serve.

Get Involved

We invite local schools, youth services, and community partners to connect with us and explore ways to refer young people or collaborate. If you are supporting a young woman who could benefit from W.A.V.E., or want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you.

Together with The Third Space Youth, we’re proud to move W.A.V.E.

Yes. Excited black girl making winner gesture, smiling over yellow studio background. Copy space

Havering Educational Services

28/04/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering New Projects

Youth Unity Approved as a Supplier for Havering Educational Services

We are proud to announce that Youth Unity CIC is now an approved supplier for Havering Educational Services.

This achievement is a significant milestone for our organisation, reflecting the high standards of practice, safeguarding, and youth support that we bring to every programme we deliver. Our approval follows a thorough quality assurance process, ensuring that Youth Unity meets the strict criteria required to work with schools, colleges, and young people across Havering.

Our mentoring, intervention, and outreach services have been independently reviewed, and we have been recognised for:

Our commitment to safeguarding and child protection.
Our proven track record of positive engagement with young people.
The professionalism and experience of our mentors and youth workers.
Our ability to deliver impactful, evidence-based programmes that meet the needs of young people today.

Through this partnership, schools and education providers in Havering can now confidently access Youth Unity’s services to support students with mentoring, personal development, life skills training, early intervention programmes, and more.

We are excited about the opportunities this approval brings and remain committed to empowering young people, building resilience, and helping them unlock their full potential.

If you would like to learn more about how Youth Unity can support your school or organisation, please get in touch. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

New Youth Hub Opens in Romford to Support Young People

31/01/2025

by admin London Borough of Havering Partnership working

This week (29^th 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

Romford Outreach

20/12/2024

by admin London Borough of Havering 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.

Creating Safer Spaces: Supporting Young People in Hildene

20/12/2024

by admin London Borough of Havering Outreach

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