LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING Archives

Soft Launch, The Battis

12/04/2026

by Shirley Jackson LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING News & Updates

Soft Launch of The Battis Youth Space

Introduction

The Battis Youth Hub in Romford represents a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnership, persistence, and a clear vision for young people.

What began as a simple idea to create a safe, welcoming space for young people has evolved into a youth hub that will work to support engagement, mentoring, and positive activities during the most critical hours after school.

The Origin Story

Youth Unity’s journey at The Battis began through our involvement in the MyEnds programme with Havering Council, where we were initially given access to the indoor hub space as part of a wider consortium approach.

However, over time, Youth Unity became the primary organisation consistently activating and developing the space, transforming it into a trusted and recognised base for young people.

Around 18 months ago, Shirley Jackson, Youth Unity Director, identified an opportunity that others had overlooked, the unused side area of the former ATIK nightclub (previously a smoking area).

At the time, the space was far from usable. It had become overrun with rubbish, with waste regularly thrown into the area, making it unpleasant and unwelcoming. The inside was heavily overgrown, neglected, and largely dismissed as unusable.

Where others saw a neglected space, she saw potential.

Recognising its possibilities, she envisioned transforming it into a safe, vibrant outdoor environment where young people could feel welcome, supported, and proud to spend time.

Securing the Space

To bring this vision to life, connections and partnerships were key.

Support from Counsellor Keith Prince enabled introductions to developers, leading to formal discussions with Urban Sketch.

Following a detailed proposal and a lengthy process navigating development requirements, we were granted:

Access to the outdoor space for up to 4 years
Permission to develop and activate the area for youth provision

This milestone marked the turning point from idea to delivery.

Building the Space – A Partnership Effort

The development of The Battis has been made possible through exceptional partnership support.

Infrastructure & Construction

Through conversations with Glen Addis, Youth Unity was introduced to a construction company who:

Built the outdoor structure (youth shelter)
Coordinated multiple contractors
Delivered the work entirely as an in-kind donation

Importantly, materials used were reclaimed from construction sites, creating a space that is both:

Sustainable
Environmentally responsible
Aligned with Youth Unity’s values

Investment in Equipment & Resources

With support from the Metropolitan Police Service, Youth Unity secured funding to equip the space with high-quality resources.

This includes:

Basketball hoop
Table tennis tables
Boxing equipment (with qualified coaching support)
TVs and gaming consoles
Podcasting and music equipment
Air fryers and food provision equipment

These resources are critical in addressing what we call the “lost hours” the period after school where many young people:

Have no structured activities
Are at higher risk of exploitation or anti-social behaviour
Often experience hunger

Safety & Infrastructure

Due to the nature of our work, safety is paramount.

We are incredibly grateful to MS Webb for donating:

CCTV systems to ensure the safety of both young people and staff

Additional ongoing support from:

Transport for London
TFL Elizabeth Line / GTSR

has enabled Youth Unity to:

Secure long-term use of the hub space
Develop the indoor facilities

Indoor Hub Development

The internal hub space has now been transformed into a multi-functional youth environment, including:

Gaming area
Podcast and media studio
Music production and DJ space
Creative areas for expression

This provides young people with opportunities to:

Learn new skills
Build confidence
Explore creative pathways
Engage in meaningful conversations with trusted adults

Community Contribution

The development of The Battis has also been supported by the wider community.

Community Payback Team

Every Sunday morning, regardless of weather, the Community Payback team:

Cleared the site
Removed waste
Jet washed all the areas
Helped prepare the area for development

Many individuals involved expressed that:

They were proud to contribute, recognising the importance of youth spaces and reflecting on the lack of provision available during their own upbringing.

Their contribution has been invaluable not just practically, but in demonstrating community ownership and shared responsibility.

Creative Identity & Environment

The space has been brought to life visually through artwork donated by:

Cizeone

Whose work adds:

Identity
Energy
A sense of pride

to the environment, making it a space young people feel connected to.

Impact & Outcomes

Over time, The Battis we hope will evolve into:

A recognised safe space in Romford
A trusted location for young people
A hub for engagement, mentoring, and intervention
A community space for arts and culture

Young people now:

Actively seek out the space
Engage positively with staff
Build relationships with trusted adults
Participate in structured and informal activities

A Collective Effort

This project would not exist without the support of:

Urban Sketch
Metropolitan Police
Havering Council
Transport for London & GTSR
MS Webb
Construction partners (in-kind support)
Community Payback teams
Creative contributors
Local leadership and advocacy

Youth Unity extends sincere thanks to every partner involved.

Looking Ahead

The vision for The Battis is clear:

To continue developing it as a flagship youth hub in Romford
To expand opportunities for young people
To create a space that fosters pride, safety, and belonging

Closing Statement

The Battis is more than a youth space it reflects what happens when:

Community
Partnership
Vision

come together with a shared purpose.

Here’s to a brighter future for Romford’s young people.

Clear Hold Build Harold Hill

04/03/2026

by Shirley Jackson LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING Metropolitan Police News & Updates

Clear Hold Build – Building a Safer Future for Harold Hill

Being part of the Clear Hold Build programme in Harold Hill has easily been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Youth Unity is incredibly proud to be part of this partnership alongside the Metropolitan Police, Havering Council, and a wide range of local partners and community organisations who are all committed to creating lasting change in the area.

Over the past two years, partners have worked closely with residents and the wider community to tackle persistent crime and antisocial behaviour while building stronger relationships and opportunities for local people. This work has demonstrated that no single organisation can deliver change at this scale alone. It is only through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment that real progress can happen.

The results of this partnership approach are already clear. Comparing the last 12 months with the 2023 pre-launch period, Harold Hill has seen significant reductions across key crime categories:

935 fewer victim-based crimes – a reduction of 28.3%
111 fewer violence with injury offences – down 27.6%
98 fewer burglaries – down 56.3%
349 fewer vehicle crimes – down 57.1%
110 fewer shoplifting offences – down 41.2%

Alongside these reductions, partners have taken decisive action to tackle organised crime and improve safety in the community. Over the past two years there have been more than 130 arrests for a wide range of offences, and over 30 warrants executed, leading to the seizure of more than £2 million worth of drugs, the shutdown of several county lines operations, and the removal of numerous weapons from the streets of Havering.

These outcomes highlight the power of intelligence-led policing combined with strong partnership working and community engagement. Clear Hold Build is not just about enforcement; it is about restoring community confidence, strengthening neighbourhood pride, and creating the conditions where young people and families can thrive.

For Youth Unity, this work is particularly important. Through our youth engagement, mentoring, and outreach programmes, we help ensure that young people in the area have positive opportunities, trusted adults, and safe spaces that steer them away from crime and antisocial behaviour.

Last weekend, partners and residents came together to mark the launch of the Build phase of the programme – the next step in the journey of “Our Harold Hill – Clear Hold Build.” This stage focuses on strengthening the community, supporting prevention, and ensuring that the progress made so far leads to long-term, sustainable change for Harold Hill.

The event was a powerful reminder that when organisations, residents, and young people work together, it is possible to create safer, stronger communities.

Youth Unity is proud to stand alongside our partners and the Harold Hill community as we continue this journey.

a lonely child sitting on a bench, feeling isolated while others walk away

Serious Violence Strategic Partnership

09/02/2026

by Shirley Jackson LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING

We are proud to share that Youth Unity has joined the Serious Violence Strategic Partnership, a key subgroup of the Havering Community Safety Partnership, bringing together local agencies, services, and partners to develop a coordinated response to reducing serious violence across the borough.

This partnership plays a vital role in addressing the root causes and impact of serious violence, ensuring that the needs of those affected are recognised and supported through strategic collaboration and shared action. As part of this work, the group focuses on responding to priorities identified within the Serious Violence Strategic Needs Assessment, developing targeted initiatives to reduce incidents, and overseeing the delivery of the Violence and Vulnerability Action Plan (VVAP).

Youth Unity’s involvement reflects our ongoing commitment to contextual safeguarding and early intervention. Through our direct work with young people across Havering including mentoring, outreach, enrichment programmes and youth voice initiatives — we bring frontline insight into the challenges young people face and the solutions that can create lasting change.

By contributing to strategic discussions, sharing best practice, and strengthening inter-agency collaboration, we aim to help shape a coordinated approach that not only responds to risk but also creates positive opportunities, safe spaces, and supportive pathways for young people.

We look forward to working alongside partners across the borough to support the delivery of the Serious Violence Strategy and ensure that young people’s voices, experiences, and needs remain central to the work.

ReThreaded Sustainable Fashion

16/01/2026

by Shirley Jackson LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING ReThreaded

RETHREADED — Youth-Led Sustainable Fashion for Young Women

Youth Unity CIC is proud to launch RETHREADED, a new youth-led sustainable fashion programme supporting girls aged 14–19 to build confidence, creativity and enterprise skills through upcycling and design.

Delivered in partnership with Havering Youth Services and generously supported by Park Charitable Trust for Girls, the programme brings together creativity and sustainability, giving young women practical skills while encouraging positive self-expression and teamwork.

Across a 12-week programme running from February to June 2026, participants will take part in hands-on workshops covering sewing and upcycling, branding and marketing, creative design and enterprise skills. Each cohort will work towards a final community showcase, celebrating their achievements and sharing their work with family, partners and the wider community.

A key element of RETHREADED is ensuring that young people’s voices are central to the project. Participants will help shape the project’s identity and create digital content that reflects their journey, building confidence and transferable media skills alongside their creative development.

We are extremely grateful to Park Charitable Trust for Girls for making this programme possible. Following the closure of Park School for Girls in Ilford, the Trust was established to continue its legacy by improving access to education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a primary focus on girls. Through this partnership, we are able to reach and support more young women with positive, future-focused opportunities.

RETHREADED reflects Youth Unity’s ongoing commitment to providing creative, preventative and empowering programmes that help young people build skills, confidence and aspiration for the future. We look forward to sharing updates and celebrating the achievements of the young women taking part.

🎥 Youth Voice at the Centre

A core part of RETHREADED is ensuring that young women are not just participants, but active storytellers of their own journey.

Throughout the programme, young people will create:

Social media content
Photography and video
Project branding and creative identity

This content will be shared across Youth Unity and Park Trust platforms, helping to amplify young women’s voices while building confidence in digital and media skills.

Hildene Clear Hold

13/01/2026

by Shirley Jackson LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING Metropolitan Police Outreach

Youth Unity is proud to be delivering weekly Youth Sessions in Hilldene, creating a safe, welcoming space for young people to spend time positively, build relationships, and connect with trusted adults in their community.

Taking place every Thursday at 3pm on Farnham Road, Hilldene, our mobile youth van offers a relaxed drop-in environment where young people can take part in activities including gaming consoles, table tennis, basketball, music, and shared social space — with hot drinks available and a friendly team always on hand.

But these sessions are about far more than activities.

A Safe Space with Trusted Adults

Our youth workers are experienced, approachable, and focused on building trust. This means young people have adults they can speak to openly, whether they need advice, reassurance, or simply someone to listen.

Conversations often develop around real issues affecting young people, including school, friendships, wellbeing, safety, and future aspirations. By meeting young people where they already are, we remove barriers to engagement and create opportunities for early support before challenges escalate.

Listening to Young People and Shaping Support

Being consistently present in the same location allows us to build meaningful relationships and better understand what young people in Hilldene want and need. Their voices help shape future activities, projects, and support pathways, ensuring services are relevant and genuinely youth-led.

This approach also helps identify young people who may benefit from mentoring, specialist programmes, or referrals to other services — allowing support to be timely and appropriate.

Strengthening the Wider Community

These sessions are not only for young people. We regularly speak with parents, carers, and local residents who stop by to ask questions, share concerns, or simply say hello. Building positive relationships between young people and the wider community is a key part of creating safer neighbourhoods and reducing tensions.

We welcome local involvement and believe that when young people feel valued and supported by their community, it leads to better outcomes for everyone.

Working in Partnership

These sessions are supported by the Metropolitan Police, as part of a wider commitment to prevention, engagement, and community safety. By working in partnership with statutory services and local organisations, we are able to provide visible, positive youth engagement while also linking young people into wider support when needed.

Looking Ahead

Our goal is to use these sessions as a gateway to longer-term opportunities — including mentoring, creative projects, sports, and skills development — helping young people build confidence, resilience, and positive aspirations.

If you see the big black van on Farnham Road on a Thursday afternoon, please come and say hello. We are always happy to talk, listen, and work together to support local young people.

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.

Children hand-drawn happy and beautiful neighborhoods in stick figure style illustration. White background.

Safer Neighbourhood Havering

02/07/2024

by admin LONDON BOROUGH HAVERING London Borough of Havering Metropolitan Police Outreach

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Mobile Intervention Outreach Service, operating across multiple areas in the borough. Commissioned by the London Borough of Havering, this initiative aims to deliver engaging activities and vital support directly to the young people in our community.

Mobile Intervention Service

Our mobile service is set to visit various areas identified through the community safety team within Havering Council. This initiative focuses on Intelligent Led Youth Work (ILYW) and offers a variety of fun and engaging activities, including:

Table Tennis
Basketball
Football
Badminton
Podcasting
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.

Giving Young People a Voice – Soundmap

Our second activity focuses on capturing the voices and experiences of young people in our community. Through street interviews and podcasts, we aim to understand their perspectives on community safety and other important themes.

We will use various multimedia approaches, including surveys, and podcasts, to explore how young people view their homes, neighbourhoods, and public authorities. This initiative will help us understand the socio-spatial implications in our youth community, followed by audio-visual interviews and recordings.

We are thrilled to embark on this journey with our community and look forward to the positive changes and growth it will bring. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and the amazing stories from our young participants