Enrichment, Alternative Learning and Diversionary Programme by the Sea! (July 2022)
Earlier this month the VVU visited The Southend Enrichment, Alternative Learning and Diversionary Programme. This is a programme that has been running since 2019, initiated by Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Sport and Leisure Team and funded by partners such as the VVU, PFCC and Essex Community Foundation Trust. Research shows that participation by young people in […]
Graffiti project brightens up Chelmsford (June 2022)
Young people have been hard at work brightening up two locations in Chelmsford with new artwork and graffiti. Central Park underpass and Chelmer Valley nature reserve (under the bridge on the bunny walks) have been transformed by the creative skills of local young people, those who use the Central Park skate park, and a group […]
Our new project: ReRoute (June 2022)
We are working on a new project called ReRoute. This project works with young people who have been arrested on possession of carrying a knife but who are waiting to be charged to court. There can be a considerable amount of time between arrest and a court date; by working in this time period to […]
The success of detached youth work (June 2022)
We are consistently told by young people across Essex they want safe activities to participate in and safe places to meet, alongside adults they can talk to and trust. For the past 18 months we’ve worked with Essex Council of Voluntary Youth Services (ECVYS) and Active Essex to fund detached youth workers in areas of […]
Targeted work in Tendring (January 2021)
As part of our targeted intervention work – where we work in identified localities to support young people, their families and communities – we are working in Tendring with the Community Safety Partnership and UTurn4Support to deliver a Wellbeing and Resilience Project to young people identified as at risk of offending. The young people are […]
Rainbow Services, Harlow (Autumn 2021)
One of the projects the VVU supports is Rainbow Services in Harlow, and specifically a fantastic project that helps young people gain qualifications in construction. Young people referred to the Workshop at Rainbow Services are welcomed into a supportive and practical community-based environment. With help from volunteer mentors they learn how to build and construct […]
