Over 520 young people living in Basildon are finding new paths in life with the aid of the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) Community Grant to the charities Achieve Thrive Flourish (ATF) and Motivated Minds.
A £19,000 VVU grant was given to ATF, with matched £3,000 funding. The grant made possible a range of activities for Laindon’s young people including team sports, athletics, and the arts. Motivated Minds received £19,570 to fund a Well Youth project for young people to go to a safe and happy place.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Chair of the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Partnership, thanked Achieve Thrive Flourish (ATF) and Motivated Minds for their work to prevent and keep young and vulnerable people away from crime.
Mr. Hirst said: “Tackling drug driven violence and protecting young and vulnerable people are key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan. By working with partners across Essex, through the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership, we have invested heavily in helping young and vulnerable people stay away from crime. Positive prevention activity, such as this, combined with robust action against the hardened criminals who exploit vulnerable people and bring violence into our communities is working and we are seeing a steady decline in drug driven violence across Essex.
“Working with specialist organisations based within communities is an important way to deliver highly targeted support for the people at risk. It is great to see the positive impact ATF and Motivated Minds are having in their community and I am pleased to be able to offer our support through this grant funding.
“By working together, we can make safer, secure communities for all.”
With the funding ATF were able to engage and train a new permanent team member. Evening sessions took place with a range of youth activities, with team sports and athletics, arts, physical health development and heritage programmes.
Stuart Long, Chief Executive Officer, Achieve Thrive Flourish said: “Young people like security and structure. Engaging them in physical, happy activities helps them with self-esteem and helps raise aspirations.”
Also in Basildon, Motivated Minds set up the HAPPY Hub in the town centre to provide young people with access to a safe and happy place. The VVU’s grant funded a series of fun activities that helped build partnerships with the police and other professions. Five young people became motivators themselves offering a buddy role to children during the project. The young people and their families were also provided with nutritious meals at the end of the sessions.
Donna Ager, Youth Wellness Lead, Motivated Minds said: “Young people now have the opportunity to use the Happy Hub outside regular youth programmes. They like to use the sport and game facilities which is helping to keep them off the streets and be in a safe warm place, and if they need support with their mental health, they have the opportunity to engage with one of our wellness team for support.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and the Economy at Essex County Council, said: “I’m proud to see the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit supporting so many great organisations that help our children and young people across Essex. Achieve Thrive Flourish and Motivated Minds are making a real difference to our vulnerable children and young people.”
New Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit grants are available for activities in 2024-2025. Further details can be found at www.essexvvu.co.uk/news/
