YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CONNEXIONS
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Mission Statement
Our organisations overall aim is to carry out activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) to children and young people age between 8 to 25. Our programs and activities are codesigned by the young people for the young people and are aimed at preventing violence happening or reoccurring, so that we can reduce long-term harm. To do this effectively our organisation runs a variety of activities, designed to be used as ‘hooks’ by this we mean projects where the positive activity is used to engage young people with additional interventions or support, such as therapies, skills development programs, mentoring, 1-1 support, signposting and more. Through good practise our team have developed some specialist engagement tactics which derive from personal experiences and through forming positive attachments which each person we engage or work with ensuring that all attendees feel accepted and appreciated and that they all bring value and are valued, our team continually review any signs of disengagement and seek to see how we can re connect with that individual adapting our practise to fit the new needs of the service user. Due to the multitude of ever evolving issues, concerns and community escalation events/situations our team has had to in build a dynamic approach, which enables our team to be reactive to immediate issues within the community. Our consistency in this has meant that individuals have been able to build a relationship with us creating trust and mutual respect making it easier for them to give them support.
About This Cause
Our Community Coffee Mornings - have evolved & expanded into pivotal lifelines amid the escalating cost-of-living crisis, providing essential sustenance and solace to individuals aged 16 to 84. For some attendees, the meal provided was their only meal of the day, underscoring the dire circumstances faced by many. Strategic partnerships with organizations like Warburtons ensured that no one was left hungry, while also disseminating valuable information about other accessible support services such as local food pantries. Over the past ten months, we have collaborated with 22 organizations, transforming isolated efforts into a unified network of support. These gatherings have facilitated specific aid, such as policy guidance from EVA, DBS check assistance from ECYPS, and navigating funding applications, empowering organizations to continue their vital work. The success lies in mobilizing diverse partnerships, offering immediate material support, and creating sustainable networks of resources and information. These efforts have built a stronger, more resilient community ready to face ongoing challenges together, fostering social inclusion, empowerment & collaborative efforts among organizations. Our holistic approach not only meets immediate needs but also establishes long-term resilience and empowerment, changing the narrative of community support & engagement. Housing support - When working with young people who have just been made homeless, If possible or appropriate our professional mentors and mediators work tirelessly to reintegrate young people into their homes whenever possible. When reintegration isn't feasible, we leverage our links / network of housing associations, including London and Quadrant Housing, Christian Act Housing Trust, and Kickstart Housing Group, to secure safe and stable accommodation. Through co-design workshops, a Youth Advisory Board, and peer mentorship, we ensure that the voices and experiences of young people shape our services. This consistent, hands-on approach addresses their immediate needs and provides the tools and support necessary for long-term success and stability, aiming to prevent youth homelessness and create positive, lasting outcomes. Detached Community work - In the past two years alone, our detached team has been confronted with the harrowing reality of 12 stabbings, 2 attempted stabbings, 6 multi school fights, 1 mini riot involving 300 young people, Issues with Multiple young people attempting to create havoc by throwing fireworks and more. This stark statistic underscores the critical nature of our presence and interventions in this space. Each incident we've encountered is a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked tensions and conflicts in public spaces. Our team's ability to de- escalate situations and mediate conflicts is not just a matter of maintaining public order; it's about preserving lives. The interventions we've carried out in the face of such violence highlight the indispensable role we play in the community's safety. Our team's presence is a powerful deterrent against the bubbling undercurrents of violence that can pervade such bustling public spaces. Their impartiality in listening to concerns is not just a service it's a lifeline, offering a path to resolution where there might otherwise be none. Our Victim Support Service - is a lifeline for those hesitant to approach the police, providing crucial support and fostering a safer community. This program has not only saved lives by offering immediate aid and long-term recovery support but also significantly impacted the local area, By addressing and mitigating the effects of trauma, we're enhancing public safety, increasing foot traffic, and improving the overall atmosphere. VAWG Support Program - Our program stands as a critical pillar in the Edmonton community, addressing the urgent and pervasive issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG). By offering a registered safe space, we provide an indispensable refuge and support system for individuals facing immediate danger or distress. Employability Support - Our bespoke, tailor-made employability support service transcends mere job placement; it's a life-altering endeavour designed to foster job readiness and holistic development. By collaborating closely with local retailers, we extend our reach, directly engaging with the community to identify individuals in need of our support. This partnership not only aids in uncovering hidden talent but also ensures that our services are finely tuned to meet the local economic landscape, thereby enhancing the employability and integration of individuals into meaningful roles. Through personalized guidance and support, we ensure that each person we assist is not merely job-ready but is also resilient and skilled enough to excel and sustain their growth. Electronic Waste Program - Countless families in Edmonton and Enfield find themselves in a precarious situation, particularly when essential household appliances falter and the financial burden of repairs or replacements becomes insurmountable. In response to this pressing need, our organization has initiated a e-waste program, specifically crafted to empower community members with the skills and resources to revive their malfunctioning electronics. This innovative program offers a dual benefit: it not only equips individuals with practical repair skills through hands-on guidance from professional engineers but also fosters environmental sustainability by reducing electronic waste. Youth Centre - We operate a tailor-made youth club, open from 3:30pm to 7pm, six days a week, offering a diverse range of programs including music, dance, drama and more. These activities are strategically designed to captivate young people, drawing them into positive engagements. Once involved, we provide access to mentors and support workers dedicated to fostering significant and transformative changes in their lives. Our Parenting Program - is a unique initiative meticulously designed to address the diverse challenges faced by parents of all ages. We work with young parents, providing them with essential support and skills to navigate the complexities of parenting. Additionally, we offer assistance to older parents dealing with issues related to their young people. Our program combines education, hands-on workshops, and personalized support, equipping parents with practical tools and knowledge to foster nurturing, stable, and healthy family environments. Through mediation support and targeted assistance in any area of need, we empower individuals to overcome obstacles and strengthen family bonds. Edmonton Weapons Collection Services - In the midst of a gang conflict spanning Enfield, Harringay, Edmonton, and Woodgreen, our centre stands as a recognized haven of safety amidst chaos. Our dedicated youth workers brave the volatile streets, not merely as bystanders but as active agents of change, crafting and executing life-saving programs and interventions. The sheer volume of weapons we've encountered led us to partner with FAZ-Amnesty, a formidable ally in London's battle against violence. This collaboration has not only magnified our impact but also sharpened our efficiency, allowing us to achieve more with less. The hard facts speak volumes: over the last two years, our efforts in Enfield and Edmonton alone have resulted in the collection of over 820 knives a stark testament to the urgency of our mission. FAZ-Amnesty 's has seen an even more staggering haul of over 3,720 knives. Drama Studio and Arcade Room - Thanks to the generous resources from the Hadley Trust, we were able to upgrade our drama studio and arcade room, transforming it into a dynamic hub for our community. This enhanced facility now hosts a wide range of activities, including multiple youth work sessions, immersive drama workshops, and vibrant events. Notably, the design of this room was a collaborative effort involving a group of young people who worked alongside us, the builders, & our community architects. This collaboration has resulted in a space that truly reflects the creativity and vision of our community, fostering an engaging and versatile environment where creativity and learning thrive. Community self-development programs - As our organization rapidly expands to meet the escalating needs of our community, we're acutely aware of our limitations in addressing these challenges single-handedly. Recognizing this, we initiated a self-development program two years ago, specifically tailored for burgeoning voluntary sector organizations. Our comprehensive support extends from essential administrative tasks such as incorporation and project development to securing vital funding and providing much-needed physical spaces for activities and workshops. This initiative has been made possible through the invaluable support from the Hadley Trust. Our goal has been to redefine these narratives, to demonstrate through our actions that trust is not just possible, but foundational for collective success. Crafting Hope from Chaos - is an innovative Multiyear initiative that aims to bring together diverse organizations, law enforcement agencies, artists and community members to repurpose decommissioned knives into unique sculptures and jewellery. This program aims to transform the narrative around knife crime by engaging the community in a creative process that fosters healing, empowerment, & social cohesion, by transforming decommissioned weapons into unique sculptures & jewellery. As an organization, Youth and Community Connexions in partnership with Faz-Amnesty actively conducts weapons collections to ensure the removal of dangerous items from our communities, we collectively gather over 500 weapons each month. We have also recently forged partnerships with both the London Metropolitan Police & Shropshire Police, who have both agreed to donate a ton of seized weapons monthly to support our initiative.