Talk to us about your experience of violence in the county

The Violence and Vulnerability Unit has launched two new listening projects following the success of its conversations with young people in 2020.

In 2020, youth leaders across Essex, Southend and Thurrock engaged with over 600 young people on the violence and vulnerability themes for 2020. The feedback from young people was exceptional and helped the violence and vulnerability team to understand and prioritise issues that young people felt were important, including funding more detached youth workers and supporting youth work during Covid-19.

This year the Violence and Vulnerability Unit wants to reach out further to even more young people and the wider community.

The first listening project is the Community Listening project. This project seeks individual views on youth violence and vulnerability in the community, so local knowledge can be used to prioritise and inform work and funding in the future.

Any resident in Southend, Essex or Thurrock can take part, and by taking part has the opportunity to nominate a local community children’s / youth group / school in the county to win £500 to spend on keeping young people safe in their community.

The survey closes on 18 March and you can take part here

The second project is the young people’s listening project where the Violence and Vulnerability Unit is seeking the views of young people on their experience of violence. This project is completed through group work either virtually, detached, in a Covid-19 secure bubble or a school setting and groups who participate can receive £200 for taking part.*

The session is for young people aged 10 to 18 (up to 25 with SEN) and includes an icebreaker game and nine questions to work through. Those groups who feedback at least 20 young people’s answers by the closing date of 18 March will receive £200 as a donation towards taking part.

The funding is limited, so all groups will need to have confirmed their place by emailing [email protected] and receiving the session plan.

*If you are a youth group/ club in Essex, Southend or Thurrock and have previously received funding from the VVU, Active Essex, the PFCC, local or district councils, or are affiliated to a local or national umbrella organisation/ governing body, OR you are a school in Essex, Southend or Thurrock then you can take part.