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Setting out a brighter future at school event
A Young Futures event has been held at a Gillingham school with participants being offered a self-help ‘toolkit’ to help with some of life’s challenges.
The event at Robert Napier School was organised by Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and partner organisations as a half-term initiative to engage children and young people, providing access to support and guidance and a range of fun sports and other activities.
The Home Office-funded Young Futures programme is an innovative school-based approach to support children and young people, aged 10-17, before their behaviour may reach a crisis point. The programme is also running at Brompton Academy in Gillingham.
Karen Sandland, Young Futures Coordinator at Kent and Medway VRU, said: “The event at Robert Napier School has given the children and young people a chance to speak to a range of partner organisations as well as the opportunity to try out various activities such as badminton. The idea is that it will increase opportunities, skills and career routes as well as improving their mental wellbeing and resilience. Eventually, the programme aims to reduce crime with the young people being diverted into positive activities including gaining employment.”
Partners at the Young Futures event included the Child Centred Policing Team, the Ben Kinsella Trust, Gillingham Safe Haven, Sunlight Development Trust, Sports on Your Doorstep, Sports Connect, Medway Council Public Health, Schools Health Team,
North East London NHS Foundation Trust and Medway Council.
Marie Gavin, Sports Connect’s Future Pathways Lead said: “The programme takes a lot of the children and young people out of a problematic environment and puts them in an environment where they feel safe and listened to. They are given advice about everyday issues and are able to build their self-esteem and self-confidence. Through our partners on the programme, they can then go out and learn practical trades and skills, accompanying professionals like landscape gardeners, painters and decorators and builders. A range of activities are also offered on the programme including mentoring.”
One parent who attended the event, said: “I’m so happy that Young Futures came to the school. The email said there would be lots of things including games and it’s half-term so I thought ‘why not?’ I’ve seen many booths that have important information about mental health and other ways the community is willing to help the children. I’m amazed they have all these activities in place.”
For more information about Young Futures contact our team: vru.programme.delivery@kent.police.uk
