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 […]
Supporting primary school children to stay safe online (Dec 2022)
As part of supporting schools with safety messages, the VVU recently supported Thurrock Community Safety Partnership and Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children’s Partnership to fund a series of roadshows for Y5 and Y6 school children on how to stay safe online. In three days more than 2,000 Thurrock school children took part in an interactive presentation […]
Learn about detached youth work (Sept 2022)
We spent some time with Bar ‘n’ bus who lead detached youth work in Basildon. Detached youth workers spend time in the places young people hang out in order to get to know and form relationships with these young people. This form of youth work means the youth workers can engage with young people who […]
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 […]
