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.

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