Introducing Safeguarding Officers into Op Raptor
An Essex VVU initiative to have Police safeguarding officers attached to Police OpRaptor teams* has seen positive success in the early identification of young vulnerable people who are being exploited by criminal gangs. The safeguarding officers proactively identify young people who they believe are being exploited. This is achieved by officers attending operations which target […]
Rainbow Services youth project welcomes MP Robert Halfon (June 2023)
On 16 June we were delighted to be invited back to Rainbow Services to join in welcoming Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow to their Youth Project. The Youth Project, funded by the Essex VVU and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, is for 14 to 18 year olds who have disengaged from education, […]
Positive Futures in Shoeburyness (May 2023)
Last week some of the VVU visited Achieve Thrive Flourish (ATF) and heard all about the Positive Futures project they are currently running in Shoeburyness. Positive Futures is funded through the VVU Secondary Prevention grant which funds projects that support young people more at risk. Positive Futures is an inspiring eight week course that uncovers […]
A&E project supports nearly 200 young people (May 2023)
For the past four years the VVU has helped fund youth workers working in Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital (BTUH) Accident and Emergency Department. Since May 2019, youth workers have been based in the A&E department at BTUH with the hope that when a young person is admitted to A&E the youth workers can offer […]
Bringing light to Koala Park (March 2023)
In the 2021 / 2022 VVU Youth Voices Listening Project, young people were asked questions on safety and where they feel safe in the community. Seventy young people in Thurrock participated in the project and identified areas that they felt unsafe in. One of these areas was Koala Park in Tilbury. Young people said that […]
Changing Lives in Colchester (March 2023)
Earlier this month we popped down to Colchester to visit Changing Lives. Changing Lives is a non-profit, community interest company that uses sport, social experiences, mentoring and work experience to install confidence in young people and give them opportunities and options to work towards a more positive future. Originally based at Harlow, Changing Lives expanded […]
