Women Advocating Violence Elimination

W.A.V.E. is Youth Unity CIC’s specialist mentoring and empowerment programme for young women and girls at risk of violence, exploitation and harm.

Over the past year, we have worked with young girls across Havering through targeted, trauma-informed interventions, providing safe spaces, trusted relationships and practical tools that support confidence, safety and long-term wellbeing.

W.A.V.E. was created in direct response to what young women told us they needed:
a place where they can feel safe, be heard, and build strength together.

Why W.A.V.E. Is Needed

Through interviews and engagement with over 40 young girls in Havering, we consistently heard:

  • “We don’t always feel safe.”

  • “We don’t know who to talk to.”

  • “Sometimes we can’t speak openly at home or in school.”

Havering is one of London’s fastest-changing boroughs, with growing cultural diversity and complex pressures facing young people. Some girls experience additional barriers due to family expectations, online risks, peer exploitation, or fear of judgement.

W.A.V.E. provides a neutral, confidential and culturally sensitive space where young women can talk openly, build trust, and access the support they need — without stigma or fear.

What the W.A.V.E. Programme Includes

🤍 One-to-One Mentoring

Young women are matched with trained, trauma-informed female mentors who provide:

  • Emotional support and trusted relationships

  • Guidance around safety, boundaries and healthy relationships

  • Support around exploitation, bullying and online harm

  • Practical help with confidence, decision-making and life goals

All mentoring is delivered using a contextual safeguarding approach, recognising that risks often sit in peer groups, online spaces and community settings — not just at home.

💬 Group Mentoring & Peer Support

Group sessions build connection, resilience and shared learning, including:

  • Safe discussions around trauma, peer pressure and identity

  • Confidence-building and communication skills

  • Healthy relationships and consent education

  • Body image, mental wellbeing and self-esteem

These sessions reduce isolation and help young women realise they are not alone in their experiences.

🎤 Youth Voice, Podcasting & Ambassadors

W.A.V.E. works in partnership with Havering Youth Council, whose membership is currently made up largely of young women.

Through monthly creative and podcasting sessions at the Romford Hub, participants:

  • Explore real issues affecting girls and young women

  • Share experiences safely and constructively

  • Build leadership, media and communication skills

This pathway leads into our Violence Against Women Ambassadors Group, where young women:

  • Help shape future projects

  • Support awareness campaigns

  • Act as positive role models in their communities

🌱 Positive Activities, Life Skills & Employability

W.A.V.E. also supports wider development through:

  • Employability skills (CVs, interviews, aspirations)

  • Decision-making and personal safety strategies

  • Education on recognising early warning signs of abuse and exploitation

This ensures young women are supported not just in crisis, but in building long-term independence and opportunity.

Who W.A.V.E. Supports

The programme is designed for:

  • Young women aged approximately 11–18

  • Those experiencing vulnerability to exploitation, violence or harassment

  • Girls facing barriers to accessing mainstream services

  • Young people referred by schools, youth services and community partners

Engagement also happens through detached youth work, school partnerships, PRUs and community outreach.

Impact and Outcomes

We measure impact through:

  • Pre- and post-programme confidence and safety surveys

  • Young people’s feedback and testimonials

  • School and family feedback

  • Mentor observations and safeguarding data

Our target outcomes include:

  • 50% increase in confidence and self-advocacy among participants

  • Reduction in bullying and harassment experiences reported by schools

  • Improved understanding of healthy relationships and consent

  • Young women moving into leadership and ambassador roles

Most importantly, we see young women who:

  • Speak up more

  • Set boundaries

  • Trust adults again

  • Start to believe in their own futures

Delivered by Specialist Female Mentors

W.A.V.E. is delivered by experienced female mentors who bring:

  • Expertise in criminal and sexual exploitation

  • Trauma-informed practice and safeguarding training

  • Strong community relationships

  • Lived understanding of the challenges many girls face

Mentors receive clinical supervision and specialist training to ensure safe, ethical and high-quality support.

Building Safer Futures for Young Women

W.A.V.E. is more than a programme — it is a commitment to:

  • Prevention, not just crisis response

  • Empowerment, not just protection

  • Youth voice, not just professional opinion

By investing in young women early, we help reduce long-term risk, improve wellbeing, and strengthen entire communities.

📩 Referrals and Partnerships

If you are a school, youth service, social care professional or community organisation and would like to refer young women into the W.A.V.E. programme, or discuss partnership o