One of the projects the VVU has supported, and worked closely with, over the last couple of years is Bar ‘n’ Bus. Bar ‘n’ Bus run community-based youth and community work for young people aged 10 to 19, providing support programmes and services such as detached youth work, mentoring and targeted youth work.
Recently the VVU has provided funding for their Mentoring Social Skills Programme which delivers mentoring programmes and one to one support to vulnerable and at risk young people within local secondary schools in the south of the county.
Currently Bar ‘n’ Bus Youth Development Workers are working within four schools to provide sessions for those who are struggling with mainstream education. The sessions give the young person a chance to talk about issues bothering them, with appropriate help and support then identified if required. The programme aims to rebuild the relationship between the school and young person so they re-engage with education.
The youth development workers have provided support with issues such as anxiety, bereavement and bullying and have seen positive results with the students who attend the sessions, including improvements in mental health, feeling happier in the classroom and students feeling confident enough to sit their GSCEs.
At the VVU we know that supporting young people to stay in education and giving them access to trusted adults to talk about issues that are troubling them, is vital to ensuring they are equipped with the skills they need to develop and grow into capable and happy adults, and reducing the risk of them becoming involved in violence.
