Children and young people in Castle Point are facing a brighter future thanks to a grant from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) to Canvey Island Yellow Door.
The VVU awarded Canvey Island Yellow Door £9,790 to help fund a specialist youth worker to support vulnerable young people.
The VVU has provided 18 grants, collectively worth over £300,000, to a wide range of charities across Essex to support young people.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Chair of the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Partnership congratulated all the charities who are recipients in the latest round of VVU funding, all working to support local communities whilst helping to keep the county’s young and vulnerable away from crime.
Mr. Hirst said: “Crime is preventable; tackling violence and protecting our young and vulnerable people are key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan. The VVU grant supports activities that give children and young people access to mentoring, counselling, friendships and trusted adults. Many offer positive activities for young people to get involved with – sport, drama, youth clubs – and provide targeted support away from involvement in violent crime or antisocial behaviour.”
Mr. Hirst continued: “All the charities we are funding are committed to protecting young people, to give them a better future. By working together, we can make Essex a safer place for children to live and grow up in.”
Canvey Island Yellow Door will use the grant to fund a specialist youth worker for 12 hours per week to support young people who struggle with poor behaviour. The youth worker will support young people to develop confidence, self-esteem and life skills. The VVU funding will allow Canvey Island Yellow Door to provide young people with safe spaces, activities and informal education, plus access to advice and support.
Alex Hawkins, Manager, Canvey Island Yellow Door, said: “We are an independent charity and all our work with vulnerable young people depends on grants and donations. We are so grateful to secure funding from the VVU for another year. Without the VVU’s funding, we wouldn’t be able to continue to support the many young people who come through our door every year.”
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Business Engagement, Essex County Council said: “The grants given by the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit will make a positive impact on young people’s lives and will help to give a better future to so many. The work that the organisations are doing in the communities they serve is outstanding and I thank them and the VVU for the impact that their efforts are having on our young people, across the county.”
To discover more about the VVU, visit www.essexvvu.co.uk and for more about Canvey Island Yellow Door go to www.canveyislandyouthproject.org.uk.
