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Introducing Our New Safe Haven: A Hub of Opportunity and Growth!

by Essex CountyLondon Borough of HaveringNew ProjectsOutreach

The Youth Unity Team are thrilled to announce the launch of our static intervention service, a true ‘Safe Haven’ for young people! In partnership with the Community Safety Team at Havering Council.

This vibrant space is dedicated to providing a secure and welcoming environment where young individuals can come together to share their concerns, join support groups, and participate in a variety of engaging activities.

A Welcoming Space for Families

Our hub isn’t just for young people; it’s a community cornerstone where parents can visit to discuss their concerns and receive the support they need. We believe in fostering open communication and understanding to build trust with families and create a nurturing environment for everyone.

Building a Strong Community Network

Youth Unity is on a mission to establish a powerful network of partners across the borough. This collaborative effort will allow us to effectively guide families to a wide array of services, ensuring they have access to all the resources and assistance they need. Together, through community engagement and cooperation, we aim to create a robust support system that benefits both young people and their families.

Empowering Young People with Opportunities

We’re also excited to announce our plans to partner with local businesses to enhance and develop the hub. These partnerships will open doors to job placements and career development opportunities for the young people we support. Our ultimate goal is to provide clear pathways to employment, helping them gain invaluable skills and experience for a brighter, more promising future.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from our Safe Haven, where growth and opportunity come to life!

Morning city park with family having fun in the park,boys walking the dog,man talking on phone, kid playing, two guys reading a book under tree,City lifestyle of people in Summer time

Safer Spaces – Greenwich

by London Borough of Royal GreenwichNew ProjectsOutreach

Our Media VAN “Unity HUB” is set to visit the Titmus Avneue area of Greenwich through the school holidays for six weeks. This initiative, funded by the Safer Team at the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council, aims to help reduce anti-social behaviour and keep young people safe during the school holidays, which can sometimes be a worrying time 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.

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National Lottery Awarded: Detached Youth Work in Romford Town

by London Borough of HaveringNew ProjectsOutreach

We are thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded National Lottery funding to continue our amazing project in Romford until the end of 2024!

Partnering closely with the Havering Council’s Community Safety Team, we’re ready to make a huge impact.

Over the past year, being part of the community has allowed us to build trusted relationships with young people and residents who join us week after week. Whether it’s playing a game of chess or shooting some hoops in basketball, our UNITY HUB has become a beloved fixture in their lives.

🌟 We are conveniently located on South Street, Romford, and we are here rain or shine! Our secure haven is dedicated to young people, but our mission extends beyond that. We aim to foster stronger understanding and build better relationships with the elders in our community as well.

We’re open every Wednesday from 3pm, offering a vibrant space for gaming, music, chess, dominoes, basketball all working to building a strong sense of community.

Our mission is to create a safe and welcoming space where the community can come together and better understand the needs and aspirations of our youth.

We know that young people often lack guidance and places to go. That’s why UNITY HUB is here to offer exciting opportunities and direct them to various engaging activities around the area. Plus, we provide valuable advice and support on important topics for both young individuals and parents.

Come and be part of this incredible journey with us! Let’s unite, explore, and grow together. 🚀

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

Safer Neighbourhood Havering

by LONDON BOROUGH HAVERINGLondon Borough of HaveringMetropolitan PoliceOutreach

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

THURSDAY SESSIONS

13th June to 4th July – Hilldene Shopping Area

1st Aug 22nd Aug – Orchard Village, Rainham

29th Sept to 19th Sept – Cherry Tree, Rainham

MONDAY SESSIONS

(School Summer Break)

6th Aug to 27th Aug – Upminster Park

a person is smoking

Successful Delivery of “Crucial Crew” Workshops on the Dangers of Vaping

by New Projects

We had the privilege of delivering our much-anticipated “Crucial Crew” workshops, focusing on the dangers of vaping among young children. This important initiative, aimed at raising awareness and educating our youth about the health risks associated with vaping, was met with great enthusiasm and engagement from all participants.

Key Highlights from the Workshops:

Interactive Learning Sessions: Our workshops featured interactive sessions designed to engage young minds. Through activities, discussions, and multimedia presentations, we highlighted the harmful effects of vaping, including the potential for addiction and long-term health consequences.

Expert Insights: We were fortunate to have health experts join us to share their knowledge and experiences. They provided valuable insights into the chemicals found in vape products and their impact on the developing bodies of young people.

Myth-Busting: Many young people hold misconceptions about vaping. Our workshops included a myth-busting segment to dispel common myths and provide accurate information. This helped clarify the reality of vaping and its true risks.

Support and Resources: We provided attendees with resources to help them make healthier choices and support peers who might be struggling with vaping. This included information on counseling services, helplines, and educational materials for further reading.

Engaging Activities: To reinforce the lessons learned, participants engaged in various activities such as quizzes, role-playing scenarios, and group discussions. These activities fostered a deeper understanding of the subject matter and encouraged peer-to-peer learning.

Positive Feedback and Outcomes:

The feedback from the workshops was overwhelmingly positive. Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn about the dangers of vaping in an engaging and informative manner. Many young attendees reported that they felt more equipped to make healthy choices and to support friends who might be considering vaping.

We are incredibly proud of the success of the “Crucial Crew” workshops and the impact they have had on our young community. Educating our youth about the risks of vaping is crucial in fostering a healthier future generation.

Looking Ahead:

We are committed to continuing our efforts in educating young people about the dangers of vaping and other critical health issues. Stay tuned for more workshops and initiatives as we work together to create a safer, healthier environment for our children.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this important initiative. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this important initiative, and a special thanks to Uttlesford Council for their invaluable partnership. Together, we can make a difference.

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Bexley Council commission Youth Unity to deliver Outreach Work in the borough

by with No Comment London Borough of Bexley

Youth Unity will be working in the Bexley area over the next year giving support and reassurance to the local residents.

Our aim is to promote the positive benefits of community participation and social activism and to empower vulnerable young people with practical ways to remove violence from their lives.

Our aim of is to ensure, whether identified through formal (e.g., schools) or informal (e.g. outreach) routes, that when young people need safeguarding against serious youth violence, exploitation and other forms of vulnerability they can find support easily and to be able to trust it.

Central to building trust is ensuring a child’s need is met by the right response from parents and professionals alike so the project uses workshops to ensure they are prepared to identify and respond.

If you would like to know more please get in touch