Young people reflect on the support of the 23/24 community grant
As we come into the final quarter of our 2023 / 2024 grant we have received some lovely feedback from young people that have attended the projects we have supported, including those supported with VVU funding. We would really like to share some of these quotes with you so you can understand the difference even […]
Youth Voice conference (Oct 2023)
(write up by Essex Boys and Girls Clubs) This year’s Youth Voice Conference was held on Saturday 21 October 2023 at Writtle University College Chelmsford. More than 100 people gathered together to help continue a conversation to enable change for a better future with one question in mind, how do we keep young people safe […]
October 2023: Essex Knife Bins
There are 16 knife bins in towns and cities across our county where you can safely deposit knives and other bladed articles. They are funded jointly by the VVU, Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Essex Police. The knife bins are available so the public can deposit knives and other weapons safely and are […]
Learning Outdoors with the Respect Project (Sept 2023)
We were invited by Essex Boys and Girls Clubs to attend their outdoor learning facility at Layer Marney Tower in Essex and meet a group of young people who were possible candidates for the Respect Project. The Respect Project, is a targeted programme that supports students who are struggling with mainstream education within identified schools. […]
Introducing Safeguarding Officers into Op Raptor
An Essex VVU initiative to have Police safeguarding officers attached to Police OpRaptor teams* has seen positive success in the early identification of young vulnerable people who are being exploited by criminal gangs. The safeguarding officers proactively identify young people who they believe are being exploited. This is achieved by officers attending operations which target […]
Back at The Base
It was exciting for the VVU to be back to The Base in Chelmsford to see all the developments that have taken place over the last year. Running out of The Base is the Building Lives project which supports young people at risk of crime, violence and criminal exploitation. The project supports 30 young people […]
