Wave
Our specialist mentoring and empowerment programme for young women and girls at risk of violence, exploitation and harm — built in direct response to what young women told us they needed: a place to feel safe, be heard, and build strength together.
EMPOWERING WOMEN & GIRLS · BUILDING CONFIDENCE · CREATING SAFE SPACES
WHY W.A.V.E. IS NEEDED
A SAFE SPACE TO BE HEARD
Through interviews and engagement with over 40 young girls in Havering, we heard the same things again and again: they don’t always feel safe, they don’t always know who to talk to, and they can’t always speak openly at home or in school.
Havering is one of London’s fastest-changing boroughs, and some girls face additional barriers through 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 support—without stigma or fear.
"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."
WHAT THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES
SUPPORT THAT MEETS GIRLS WHERE THEY ARE
ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING
- Trained, trauma-informed female mentors and trusted relationships
- Guidance on safety, boundaries and healthy relationships
- Support around exploitation, bullying and online harm
- Confidence, decision-making and life goals
GROUP MENTORING & PEER SUPPORT
- Safe discussions on trauma, peer pressure and identity
- Confidence-building and communication skills
- Healthy relationships and consent education
- Body image, mental wellbeing and self- esteem
YOUTH VOICE, PODCASTING & AMBASSADORS
- Creative and podcasting sessions at the Romford Hub
- In partnership with Havering Youth Council
- Leadership, media and communication skills
- A pathway into our VAW Ambassadors Group
LIFE SKILLS & EMPLOYABILITY
- Employability skills — CVs, interviews, aspirations
- Decision-making and personal safety strategies
- Recognising early warning signs of abuse and exploitation
- Building long-term independence and opportunity
WHO W.A.V.E. SUPPORTS
DESIGNED FOR YOUNG WOMEN
- 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.
TOPICS WE COVER
REAL CHANGE FOR YOUNG WOMEN
100+
young women supported through 1:1 mentoring
93%
improved confidence
98%
reported feeling safer
95%
engaged consistently
Most importantly, we see young women who speak up more, set boundaries, trust adults again, and start to believe in their own futures. W.A.V.E. is delivered by experienced female mentors with expertise in criminal and sexual exploitation, trauma- informed practice and safeguarding — supported by clinical supervision and specialist training.
BUILDING SAFER FUTURES FOR YOUNG WOMEN
W.A.V.E. is more than a programme — it’s a commitment to prevention over crisis, empowerment over protection, and youth voice over professional opinion. If you’re a school, youth service, social care professional or community organisation, we’d love to hear from you.