A new detached youth work programme, delivered as part of a wider package of support for young people at risk of exclusion or offending, is already making a positive impact in key areas of Wolverhampton.
Commissioned by the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership, the programme is being delivered by Wolves Foundation and Inpower Academy and sees trained youth workers and mentors engage directly with young people in community locations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Over recent weeks, they have been spending time in the Bentley Bridge and Whitmore Reans areas, speaking with young people, offering help and advice, and identifying those who may benefit from further support.
They have also been engaging with local businesses to make them aware of the project and find out about issues affecting the local area. The youth workers and mentors have prioritised building trust with the young people through conversation, games, sport and other informal activities.
The next phase of the project will see young people who need it being referred into trusted community organisations across the city for additional support. Jonathan Warburton, Wolves Foundation's Head of Programmes for Education, Employability and Youth Engagement, said: “Our staff have been out and about for several weeks now, building positive engagement both with young people and business owners within the area where the delivery takes place.
“It is already proving a very worthwhile project for the Foundation, linking up with partner organisations on some really important outreach, as an addition to the many other projects we deliver across the city. We are looking forward to the project continuing to develop and producing some extremely positive outcomes for the young people involved.”
Councillor Obaida Ahmed (pic), the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: *This targeted youth work is already showing its value by meeting young people where they are, listening to their experiences, and ensuring they feel seen, supported and, most importantly, safe.” The detached youth work is one element of four coordinated initiatives launched earlier this year to prevent youth violence in Wolverhampton.
They also include targeted prevention in schools led by Mandem Meet Up, high risk intervention through EYES2Success, and mentoring and family support, provided by YMCA. Cllr Ahmed added: "Together, these programmes expand on proven approaches already operating in the city, helping to intervene earlier, support vulnerable young people and reduce the risk of exclusion, offending or harm.
"By combining outreach, school‑based support, high‑risk intervention and one‑to‑one mentoring, we are helping create safer neighbourhoods and more opportunities for our young people to thrive." The Safer Wolverhampton Partnership is the statutory Community Safety Partnership and local police and crime board for the city, bringing together agencies to reduce crime, disorder and anti‑social behaviour.
It coordinates multi‑agency efforts to improve community safety, focusing on violence prevention, domestic abuse and reducing reoffending.