WhatsApp Image 2024-12-20 at 15.04.23

MyEnds Harold Hill

Harold Hill Outreach & Mentoring · Youth Unity
Funded through · 2026 – 2027
Detached outreach & mentoring · Harold Hill

Every Tuesday, we're out in Central Park.

A trusted, familiar presence for young people in Harold Hill — meeting them where they already are, then walking alongside the ones who need more than a hello.

You'll find us here
CENTRAL PARK · HAROLD HILL · ROMFORD
The programme

A presence that's already here — deepened for those who need it most.

Youth Unity has built a trusted detached youth-work presence in and around Central Park, Harold Hill. Experienced workers head out each week to build relationships, keep young people safe on the spot, and be a steady, familiar face in the community.

The hardest part is already done: our workers and mentors are known and embedded here, so support is immediate and credible rather than starting cold. On top of the weekly outreach, we layer intensive one-to-one mentoring for the young people facing the most — turning a brief conversation in the park into sustained, personal support.

We carry that presence through the autumn and winter, when risk and need typically rise, so relationships that take months to build aren't lost.

Detached youth work means we don't wait for young people to come to a building. We go to the places they already gather, on their terms — offering conversation, a listening ear, safeguarding, and a route to more support when they want it.

What we do

Four strands, woven together.

Street contact opens the door. Mentoring, training and safety work happen inside those relationships — not as separate workshops, but paced to each young person by someone they already trust.

01 / Outreach

Weekly detached outreach

Two senior detached workers and a junior worker out in Central Park every Tuesday — building relationships, offering diversion and on-the-spot safeguarding, with refreshments to keep the conversation going.

02 / Mentoring

1:1 mentoring for young people

Dedicated support from a male mentor who's a trusted, familiar face — for the Koru-Ed cohort and young people signposted by schools, police and local services.

  • Accredited training toward real qualifications
  • Work-readiness: CVs, applications, interviews
  • GCSE support and soft skills
  • Consequence training and conflict management
03 / Young women

Young women's mentoring

A dedicated offer led by a female mentor — a safe, relatable space and consistent 1:1 support, making it easier for young women to talk openly and be heard.

  • Women's safety and knowing where to turn
  • Healthy relationships, boundaries and consent
  • Self-esteem, resilience and confidence
04 / Training

Accredited training & work-readiness

A core aim is getting young people — especially school leavers — work ready. Certificated training sits alongside GCSE support and employability coaching, with fees and materials covered so cost is never a barrier.

Find us

Same place, same time, every week.

Weekly session
Tuesdays
in Central Park

Harold Hill, Romford — look for the Youth Unity team.

DAYEvery Tuesday
WHERECentral Park, Harold Hill
WHO FORYoung people in the area
RUNNINGSept 2026 → Sept 2027

No sign-up, no pressure.

You don't need to book, bring anything, or commit to anything. Come and say hello, or just see what's going on.

  • Just comeTurn up during the session and chat to a worker.
  • ReferSchools, police and services can signpost a young person to us.
  • AskParents and carers can get in touch any time to find out more.
In partnership

Working with Koru-Ed.

Delivery partner
Koru-Ed

Together we reach some of the most vulnerable young people in Harold Hill — and extend that same intensive, one-to-one support to those signposted by schools, the police and the local authority.

Koru-Ed Met Police Havering Council Local schools

Our partnership with Koru-Ed is at the heart of the mentoring. Through it we work with a group of young people who live locally, providing dedicated 1:1 support delivered by a mentor already well known to the cohort — so intensive mentoring is effective from day one.

That same support reaches beyond the Koru-Ed group: young people we meet through the Central Park outreach, and those referred to us by local services, are welcomed into the same trusted, individualised offer.

Everything is tracked and reported alongside our partners, aligned to Havering and VRU outcome frameworks, so the impact is clear and shared.

What it changes

From weekly contact to safer choices.

Right away
  • A trusted street presence with on-the-spot safeguarding
  • Diversion in the moment, when it matters
  • Relationships kept, not lost
Over months
  • Growing confidence and trust in services
  • Progress toward real qualifications
  • Young women better supported around safety
Longer term
  • School leavers into education, training or work
  • Less vulnerability to exploitation and violence
  • Durable mentoring relationships that last
Get involved

Know a young person who'd benefit? Or want to support the work?

Whether you're a parent, a young person, a school, a service, or someone who wants to help keep this presence in Harold Hill — we'd love to hear from you.

In partnership with
Mayor of London Violence Reduction Unit London Borough of Havering
IMG_4598

THRIVE Havering

Youth Unity — More sessions in Havering | BATTIS Youth Zone
PREVENT · PREPARE · PROTECT

More sessions.
Safer hours.
Right here in Havering.

We've been funded by The London Community Foundation to deliver more services in Havering — growing our programme at the BATTIS Youth Zone so more young people have somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to during the hours that matter most.

Now delivering

Project Thrive — expanded after-school & holiday sessions across Havering, 2026–2028.

WHERE WE WORK · LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING

Rooted in Romford.

Havering is often seen as affluent, but pockets of deprivation run deep — around 8,800 children under 16 live in poverty, a 29% child poverty rate. Romford Town Centre, its transport hubs and parks are hotspots for exploitation and serious youth violence, especially during the after-school "lost hours."

Our Project Thrive programme meets young people exactly there — with trusted adults, safe spaces and positive opportunities from 3pm to 9pm during term time, plus intensive Easter, Summer and Winter holiday delivery.

◍ Delivery area

Havering & Romford Town Centre

Shaped directly by 109 young people we consulted through outreach, surveys and youth-led podcasts.

  • 82% wanted safe places to go
  • 76% wanted trusted adults and mentors
  • 73% said they'd attend youth-led evening provision
  • 71% wanted music, media and sport
  • 61% said there wasn't enough positive to do locally
OUR PROJECTS · BATTIS YOUTH ZONE

More hours at the BATTIS Youth Zone.

Our BATTIS Safe Place was built in direct response to local anti-social behaviour and criminal activity — a trusted space outside school hours with a podcast studio, music studio, gym equipment and mentoring areas. This funding lets us open the doors wider and run more sessions, more often.

01 · PRIMARY

50 structured sessions

Sports, boxing, fitness, music production, podcasting, gaming, film and creative health — open-access engagement from the BATTIS hub, 38 weeks a year.

02 · SECONDARY

Creative & Educate LABs

Sustainable fashion and enterprise through our RETHREADED programme, plus themed workshops on wellbeing, online harms, healthy relationships, AI and digital skills.

03 · TERTIARY

1:1 trauma-informed mentoring

Targeted support for young people referred through schools, social care, youth justice and policing — with case management, safeguarding and progression planning.

OUR APPROACH · THE VRU 5 S's

Everything a young person needs, in one place.

Somewhere to Go
Something to Do
Someone to Talk To
Something to Aspire To
Something to Eat
Proudly supported by
The London Community Foundation
Metropolitan Police

Project Thrive is made possible through the London Community Foundation, with committed support from the Metropolitan Police and our partners across Havering's Community Safety Partnership, schools, youth justice and social care.

GET INVOLVED

Know a young person who needs us?

Whether you're a parent, a school, a partner agency or a young person yourself — the door at BATTIS is open. Let's build safer futures across Havering together.

edited-0400

Rethreaded End Report

RETHREADED: When a Fashion Project Became So Much More

A sustainable fashion and creative wellbeing programme delivered by Youth Unity CIC, supported by Park Charitable Trust for Girls

When RETHREADED launched in February 2026, it was designed as a 12-week sustainable fashion project, a chance for young girls to explore creativity, confidence and self-expression through design and upcycling. Twelve weeks later, it had grown into something none of us quite expected: a safe space, a friendship circle, and a genuine community.

From strangers to a friendship circle

We began with a cohort of 14 girls, many of whom had never met before. What happened over the following weeks was a quiet kind of magic. The group settled into one another, built trust, and turned a weekly workshop into a place they genuinely looked forward to.

The original plan was simple: six weeks with an older group, then six weeks with a younger one. But the first cohort didn’t want to leave. Instead of stepping back, the older girls chose to stay and naturally began mentoring and encouraging the younger participants as they joined. That single decision shaped everything that followed: stronger relationships, growing confidence among the younger members, and a real sense of belonging and ownership across the whole group.

Creativity on their own terms

Working with sustainable and upcycled materials, the girls designed and made a range of unique fashion pieces. We’d originally imagined a commercial angle a TikTok Shop where the group could sell what they made. But as the sessions went on, the girls became far more interested in creating personal pieces for themselves than producing items to sell.

We followed their lead, and it was the right call. Letting the young people steer the direction of the programme guided by their own interests, confidence and creativity is exactly what youth-led work should look like. Along the way they showed real individuality, problem-solving, teamwork and a visible pride in their work. One participant even wore and modelled her own design while away on holiday, a small moment that said everything about the confidence she’d built.

A space to grow

Beyond the sewing machines and fabric, RETHREADED became a trusted, emotionally safe environment. The sessions opened up natural conversations about confidence, identity, self-image and sustainability, and gave the girls a place to express themselves without fear of judgement. The friendships and support networks formed here are, for many, the part that will last longest.

Celebrating together

We closed the programme with a private celebration and fashion showcase at The Battis Youth Hub, where the girls shared the pieces they’d created. Keeping it intimate was a deliberate choice a comfortable space for the participants to feel proud of their work among people they trust. A professional filmmaker joined us to capture the journey, creating a lasting legacy piece of everything the group achieved.

More than a fashion project

RETHREADED became a confidence-building programme, a peer support network, a creative wellbeing project and a platform for self-expression. It’s shown us just how much value there is in safe, youth-led spaces where girls can explore who they are — and it’s left us excited about what comes next.

With thanks to Park Charitable Trust for Girls for making this programme possible.

WhatsApp Image 2026-03-04 at 09.05.41 (2)

Session 2: Charity Shop Creative Hunt

Session 2: Charity Shop Creative Hunt

Our second session of the Rethreaded Fashion Project was all about inspiration, creativity, and exploring sustainable fashion in the local community.

This week we took the group of girls on a visit to several local charity shops, giving them the opportunity to hunt for interesting pieces that could later be reimagined and transformed into new designs. The idea behind this session was to encourage the group to start looking at clothing differently — not just as finished items, but as materials that can be repurposed, redesigned, and given a completely new life.

The girls quickly got into the spirit of the session, browsing through rails of clothes and accessories, sharing ideas with each other, and spotting pieces that stood out to them. There was lots of excitement as they discovered unique items, from statement jackets to vintage fabrics and accessories that could be used creatively in future designs.

Each participant chose a few items that inspired them, thinking about how these could be upcycled or redesigned in the upcoming workshops. It was great to see the group working together, offering suggestions to one another and starting to develop ideas for what their final pieces might look like.

The trip also helped highlight an important part of the Rethreaded project’s message — that fashion doesn’t always need to be new to be exciting. By exploring charity shops and second-hand clothing, the young people are learning about sustainability, creativity, and the value of reusing materials, while also developing confidence in their own design ideas.

Back at the hub, the group shared their finds and talked about how they might transform them in the next stage of the project. From cutting and reshaping garments to adding new fabrics and details, the possibilities are already sparking plenty of imagination.

We can’t wait to see what the group creates next as they begin turning their charity shop finds into unique, upcycled fashion pieces.

The creativity is only just getting started.

WhatsApp Image 2026-02-19 at 15.22.55

Rethreaded Session Day 1

This week we welcomed the first group of young people to our Rethreaded Sustainable Fashion Project and what a brilliant start it was.

Although we had a smaller group than expected due to the school break and other commitments, the session felt focused, creative and full of potential. Sometimes smaller groups allow for deeper conversations and stronger connections and that was certainly the case.

The girls spent time getting to know each other, sharing ideas and beginning to sketch their own design concepts. From bold statement pieces to creative re-imagining of everyday clothing, it was inspiring to see their individuality already shining through. There was real excitement in the room as ideas started turning into rough designs on paper.

Rethreaded is about much more than fashion. As outlined in our session plan

Rethreaded Lession 1 the project is designed to build:

  • Confidence
  • Self-expression
  • Creativity
  • Peer connection
  • A sense of belonging

This first session focused on creating a safe, welcoming space where every idea mattered. The young people explored what fashion means to them, how creativity connects to identity, and what they hope to gain from the project over the coming weeks.

Next week we’ll begin developing these initial sketches further and exploring sustainable materials and upcycling. The energy is building already and we’re excited to welcome the full group back together.

This is just the beginning of something special.

Beyond the Buzz podcast launch (1)

BEYOND THE BUZZ

New Podcast Launch: Beyond the Buzz — Youth Voices on Drugs, Choices and Change

Youth Unity CIC is proud to launch Beyond the Buzz, a new youth-led podcast series developed in partnership with Havering Council, giving young people a platform to speak openly and honestly about drugs, alcohol, peer pressure and the choices they face.

Beyond the Buzz brings together authentic youth voices, professional insight and lived experience, creating open conversations that support prevention, education and better understanding between young people, parents and professionals

Honest Conversations Led by Young People

At the heart of Beyond the Buzz is a commitment to youth voice. Young people are involved in:

  • Choosing discussion topics
  • Hosting and leading conversations
  • Interviewing guests
  • Shaping the final episodes

Through podcast training and creative workshops, participants build confidence, communication skills and technical media experience, while also developing the confidence to speak about difficult topics in a safe and supported environment

What Topics Does the Podcast Cover?

Each episode explores real issues that affect young people and families, including:

  • Drug and alcohol misuse
  • Peer pressure and social expectations
  • Mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • School and education challenges
  • Youth slang and hidden terminology used around substances
  • Recovery journeys and positive change

The aim is not to lecture, but to inform, reflect and empower, helping young people understand risks while also hearing stories of resilience and recovery from those with lived experience

Bridging the Gap Between Young People and Adults

Beyond the Buzz is designed to support not only young people, but also:

  • Parents and carers
  • Schools and safeguarding leads
  • Youth and community professionals

By explaining terminology, trends and pressures that young people face, the podcast helps adults better understand modern drug culture and the realities young people navigate, improving communication and early intervention opportunities

Education, Prevention and Positive Futures

The podcast forms part of Youth Unity’s wider commitment to early help, prevention and safeguarding-led youth engagement. Episodes will be promoted through:

  • Schools and PSHE programmes
  • Youth services and community settings
  • Online podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts
  • Targeted social media campaigns

This ensures that learning and awareness extend beyond those taking part in recording, reaching the wider community with trusted, youth-informed messages

Building Skills, Confidence and Voice

For the young people involved, Beyond the Buzz supports:

  • Confidence and public speaking
  • Teamwork and listening skills
  • Digital and media production experience
  • Emotional expression and reflection
  • Understanding consequences and making informed choices

These transferable skills support wider education and employment pathways, while strengthening young people’s sense of ownership and positive identity within their communities

Looking Ahead

The pilot phase of Beyond the Buzz will deliver 10+ podcast episodes, followed by evaluation, youth feedback and impact reporting to inform future expansion across schools and youth settings in Havering and beyond.

Youth Unity CIC is proud to work alongside statutory partners to ensure that prevention work is not only informative, but shaped directly by the voices of those it is designed to support.

 

NEW FLYER FOR OVERALL

FAILING FORWARDS

Youth Unity CIC is proud to support Failing Forwards, a youth-led podcast created through the MYENDS Romford programme in Havering, giving young people a powerful platform to share their experiences, challenge stereotypes and speak openly about the realities of growing up in today’s communities.

Failing Forwards is not about polished performances or adult-led narratives. It is about real conversations, real experiences and real voices, led by young people who are often talked about, but rarely listened to.

A Platform for Honest Conversations

Through Failing Forwards, young people explore topics that directly affect their lives, including:

  • Mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • Education and school experiences
  • Drug misuse and peer pressure
  • Anti-social behaviour and community tensions
  • Knife crime and fear of violence
  • Confidence, identity and future aspirations

These conversations are raw, honest and reflective, allowing young people to speak openly about challenges, mistakes and the lessons they have learned along the way.

The aim is not to sensationalise experiences, but to create space for reflection, accountability and growth, while helping young people recognise their own resilience and potential.

Why Youth-Led Podcasting Matters

Podcasting provides young people with more than just a creative outlet. It supports:

  • Confidence and communication skills
  • Emotional expression and self-reflection
  • Positive peer discussion and listening skills
  • Digital and media experience
  • A sense of agency and ownership over their stories

By shaping the topics, leading discussions and contributing to production, participants develop confidence in sharing their perspectives and understanding that their voices have value.

All recordings take place in supported environments, with trained youth workers facilitating sessions and ensuring safeguarding and wellbeing are always prioritised.

Challenging Stereotypes and Changing Narratives

Failing Forwards also plays an important role in challenging negative stereotypes about young people in areas affected by deprivation and community safety concerns.

Instead of statistics and headlines, listeners hear directly from young people about:

  • What pressures they face
  • What support they feel is missing
  • What helps them stay focused and positive
  • What they want adults and decision-makers to understand

These lived experiences provide powerful insight for professionals, services and local partners working in prevention, education and youth support.

Part of the Wider MYENDS Romford Programme

The podcast forms part of Youth Unity’s wider delivery within the MYENDS Romford initiative, which focuses on early intervention, violence prevention and supporting young people at risk of exploitation or harm through relationship-based youth work, mentoring and creative engagement.

By combining direct support with creative platforms such as podcasting, the programme helps young people develop confidence while also contributing to community learning and service improvement.

Listening Leads to Change

Failing Forwards is about more than sharing stories — it is about creating understanding, building trust and opening pathways to positive change.

When young people are heard, valued and supported, they are more likely to engage positively with education, services and their communities. This podcast is one way Youth Unity and MYENDS are working to ensure young people are not just supported, but actively involved in shaping conversations about their futures.

 

IMG_4598

Youth Space Romford

Transforming a Forgotten Space into a Place for Young People to Thrive

For years, a side section of ATIK Nightclub in Romford has sat unused and forgotten after the venue closed its doors. Now, that space is about to begin a new chapter — one that puts young people and the community first.

Urban Sketch, have generously made this enclosed area available to Youth Unity whilst their planning application of the ATIK site is decided and redevelopment is readied. Once their new mixed-use development is complete, we hope to work with them further by opening up the building to the community”.

Today, with the incredible support of the Community Payback Team, the area was cleaned and cleared, marking the first step toward bringing this space back to life.

A Safe Space for Young People

For a long time, Youth Unity has been talking with local young people about what they truly want and need. The message is clear and consistent:
They want a safe place to come together, to socialise, to have fun, and to feel supported by trusted adults.

Romford has faced challenges with young people gathering in shopping areas and public spaces. This is often misunderstood as “bad behaviour,” when in reality it is young people doing what young people do — trying to find somewhere to belong. The problem isn’t the young people. The problem is the lack of welcoming, safe spaces.

Youth Unity aims to change that.

Our Vision

We want to turn this enclosed space into a vibrant, inclusive hub where young people can:

  • socialise safely

  • play sports and games

  • express creativity through art

  • connect with positive role models

  • build confidence and community

But we can’t do it alone.

How You Can Help

We are calling on local businesses, builders, tradespeople and community partners to help us make this project happen.

Here are just a few ways you can support:

  • Donate materials or labour to help build a simple roof / shelter

  • Sponsor equipment such as:

    • table tennis tables

    • basketball hoop

    • seating and tables

  • Sponsor creative installations (murals, artwork, lighting)

  • Sponsor or donate skills and time

Youth Unity is also actively seeking funding to provide trained staff and youth workers to run the sessions so we can ensure the space is safe, supported, and well-managed.

This space isn’t just for young people, it’s for the whole community. We welcome conversations with anyone who would like to collaborate and help shape this into something special.

Everything has to start somewhere.
And this is our beginning.

If you’d like to support or get involved, please contact us today.

Multicultural happy friends having fun taking group selfie portrait on city street - Multiracial young people celebrating laughing together outdoors - Happy lifestyle concept

Kailo Project

What is KAILO?

KAILO is a project where young people work together to design better ways to support mental health and wellbeing. Local young people in Havering told us one thing clearly: there’s a big need to feel more welcomed, valued, and supported.

Now, we’re inviting you to be part of the solution.

Together, we’ll explore real ideas that can help make Havering a place where every young person feels connected — no matter their background, race, gender, or sexuality. Your ideas won’t just be talked about. They’ll be shared with the people who can make real change happen.

Open Book

Join KAILO and Help Shape the Future for Young People in Havering

Want to make a real difference to young people’s lives in Havering?
KAILO is your chance to be heard, and to help create change that actually matters.

Why get involved?

Because your voice matters.
Because change starts with young people.
Because you know what needs improving better than anyone else.

We’re looking for young people who:

  • Are aged 16–19

  • Live in Havering

  • Care about making things better — whether that’s tackling discrimination, building a sense of belonging, or improving support for young people

What will you do?

You’ll take part in group sessions where you’ll share ideas, learn from others, and help design improvements to young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Time commitment:

  • Sessions once every 1–2 weeks for about 4 months

  • Each session lasts 2–3 hours

  • Held on weekday evenings

  • Designed to be flexible, supportive, and built around you

You’ll work with a group of around 8–12 people, including:

  • Other young people from Havering

  • The KAILO team

  • Adults from youth services, schools, mental health services, local government, and community organisations

What’s in it for you?

Your time and voice are valued — and you’ll be supported every step of the way:

  • You’ll be paid for your time

  • Travel costs are covered

  • Food is provided at every session

  • ✅ You’ll receive a certificate for your CV, college, or job applications

  • ✅ You’ll gain confidence, experience, and new skills

  • ✅ You’ll help shape what happens next for young people in your area

Ready to be part of something meaningful?

Diverse international group of women or girl hugging together. Sisterhood, friends, union of feminists, event celebration. Girls team on isolated background with copy space. Flat vector illustration.

White Ribbon Day, Havering

White Ribbon Day 2025

Youth Unity were honoured to attend the Havering Men Challenging Men VAWG Conference, held at the Town Hall to mark White Ribbon Day 2025. The event brought together professionals, community leaders, and youth-focused organisations to stand in solidarity against violence towards women and girls, as outlined in the conference agenda.

One of the most powerful moments of the day came from Simeon Dennis, one of our dedicated mentors, who stood to speak about our work on the WAVE Programme. Simeon also shared his own personal reflections on how domestic violence has shaped his life growing up with four sisters. His honesty and courage offered a crucial reminder of why this work matters—and why engaging men and boys is essential in creating long-term change.

At Youth Unity, we remain committed to:

  • Educating young males on boundaries, respect, and positive masculinity.

  • Supporting young females who may be at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).

  • Delivering early-intervention programmes that challenge harmful attitudes before they become harmful behaviours.

  • Standing alongside partners across Havering to build safer communities for all.

We extend our sincere thanks to Havering Council for inviting us to take part in this meaningful event and for their continued commitment to tackling VAWG within the borough. It was a privilege to join the wider community in raising the White Ribbon flag and participating in the solidarity march that followed.

Youth Unity will continue working with local partners to empower young people, create safer spaces, and challenge the cultural norms that allow violence against women and girls to persist.

Together, we stand for change.