- Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit provides funding for diversionary opportunities as evidence shows young people are most vulnerable to exploitation and violence during school holidays
- Activities are targeted in areas of the capital most affected by violence
- Range of opportunities in sport, music production and employment funded to keep young safe and supported to thrive this summer
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced (29/07/24) his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has invested £2 million in a package of activities and targeted interventions this summer to divert thousands of young people away from violence by providing access to positive opportunities.
The Mayor is committed to tackling violence and has provided investment for his VRU to fund hundreds of activities and opportunities in training and employment for young people in greatest need of support. The package of activities, ranging from sport to music production to mentoring, will work to support young people during the summer when evidence shows they are more vulnerable to exploitation and to violence.
The VRU, set up and funded by the Mayor to lead an approach to tackling violence that is rooted in prevention and early intervention, has funded grassroots organisations, charities and local authorities, to provide access to support and positive things to do for young people in areas of the capital most affected by violence.
This includes, for the first time, funding a small number of Pupil Referral Units and Alternative Provision settings so they can continue providing ongoing support during the summer holidays, which includes boxing and BMX coaching, trips outside their community and opportunities to develop skills in carpentry and hair and beauty.
Alongside this, starting from this week, funding will help to deliver:
Summer Innovation Fund – funding has been boosted to support twice the number of grassroots, community–led groups to test new approaches and ideas to support vulnerable Londoners.
There are 16 projects being funded and delivering throughout the summer holidays. These interventions and activities will support more than 3,200 young people. Projects include music production, business creation and support, cricket, basketball, table tennis, badminton, football, cycling training, dance, digital storytelling, roller-skating, boxing, and mentoring.
Sport – Investing holiday sports provision through 20 grassroots organisations. Programmes will run through the week and at weekends for young people in areas typically underserved by sport, with funding helping remove barriers such as support for the cost of travel and providing access to food.
Stronger Futures – The VRU’s after-school programme is supporting the delivery of tailored ongoing support for 3,000 young Londoners aged 8-18 during the summer months. This includes through mentoring, creative activities, family support, positive diversionary activities, entrepreneurship, and leadership training across London.
The VRU’s 11 MyEnds consortiums will also be delivering targeted youth work and activities in key local neighbourhoods and estates of the capital with about 1,500 young people, whilst all 32 London boroughs have been funded to deliver local violence reduction initiatives ranging from mentoring and youth work support, minimising exclusions projects and reducing reoffending programmes.
The focus on prevention extends to a focus on keeping young people safe online. More than 200 young people will be provided career mentoring support, with a further 250 youth workers and mentors also provided with online support to help them navigate and understand the challenges young people face.
Earlier this month, the VRU brought together nearly 100 community organisations, charities and local authorities, to coordinate support in each borough and to ensure activities and opportunities funded by the VRU and City Hall are featured on the Local Village Network app and signposting website. It has up to 3,000 live youth services, activities and job opportunities, stretching right across London.
Today, the Mayor joined VRU Director, Lib Peck, to visit the Ekota Academy in Ilford, a project delivering funded sports opportunities such as football, basketball, cricket and cycling, as well as mentoring, for up to 180 young people each week.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“Tackling violence is my top priority and I’m committed to building a safer London for everyone by being tough on violence and tough on its complex causes.
“That means putting the next generation of Londoners front and centre and working to provide the investment, support and helping hand for young people who need it the most.
“My Violence Reduction Unit is investing in activities this summer to prevent young people becoming vulnerable to exploitation and to violence. I want young people to experience the unrivalled opportunities this city provides and to be safe, to develop and to thrive.”
Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said:
“The summer holidays are a really important period in a young person’s life. It should be a time to explore, to have fun and to build and make friendships.
“That’s why, with the Mayor’s investment and support, we’re delivering on a programme of activities this summer for thousands of young people to ensure they are safe, supported and have access to opportunities.
“We’re committed to investing in young people and giving them the opportunities they deserve because we firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable.”
Stephen Manderson, aka rapper Professor Green, said:
“I know first-hand how difficult it can be to grow up without a lot of money, and how vital safe and engaging spaces for youths are. There are many factors that contribute to crime and providing opportunities to take part in fun activities over the summer is key to keeping young people safe, which is why I’m really pleased to support the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit.”
Saleema Abdin, project manager at Ekota Academy, said:
“The summer is a critical period for young people who are at risk of negative influences. Our diverse sports activities and youth leadership programme aim to provide positive experiences that divert them from harmful behaviours. The Violence Reduction Unit funding has been instrumental in making this possible, and their summer programme is crucial to keeping young people engaged, helping with physical and mental mental well being, and keeping them away from anti social activities.”
Yasin, a 19-year-old youth leader at Ekota Academy, said:
“Being a youth leader at Ekota has been amazing. The multi-sports summer leadership programme has given me incredible experiences and boosted my confidence to take on new challenges. I’ve seen how sports bring young people together, keep them out of trouble, creating harmony and belonging. I’ve made new friends and watched others form friendships too. This programme is helping me grow as a leader, and I enjoy working with the younger kids. Seeing them improve and have fun is so rewarding. I’m grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to make a difference in my community.”
Eartha Pond, Founder of ESP Foundation, who are funded by the VRU to deliver activities for girls and young women this summer, said:
“As an educator I know firsthand the risks and negative influences holiday periods can have on young people, especially when the lens is heavily focused on boys. The extended summer period is a time where preventative initiatives are vital, to promote positive engagement and opportunities for young people to access. This is why our Girls Allowed programme is essential in not only providing a safe space where young people can thrive, but also develop friendships whilst celebrating the hybrid of cultures Londoners bring.
“Thanks to VRU funding, we will now be able to deliver weekly sessions for Londoners throughout the holiday and we are positive that: ‘We Can, We Must and We WILL’ make a difference.”
Bobby Kasanga, Founder of Hackney Wick Football Club, said:
“The summer holidays are a crucial point in most children’s lives where they tend to make lifelong lasting memories before many transition from primary school to secondary, and others to college or university.
“This period can also change the paths of the children into a negative course through anti-social behaviour and violence with the defining factor being idleness and a lack of structure.
“This is why we at ‘Think Outside The BLOX’ and Hackney Wick FC are supporting our young people through many fun, sporting, educational and skill-based activities throughout the holidays.
“These initiatives, alongside those funded by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, will make a big difference in reinforcing a stance against violence whilst providing young people with opportunities and new experiences.”
Jim Minton, CEO of Mayor’s Fund for London, said:
“Mayor’s Fund for London are delighted to see the Mayor’s investment in summer holiday provision, as over 80 per cent of our 100+ Kitchen Social community hubs across London told us that access to additional summer holiday funding was the resource they needed the most. Half of MFL community organisations reported the biggest challenge they faced in the next 12 months was to fund holiday programmes, essential food, and activities to keep young Londoners healthy, happy and having fun. This investment will ensure we can directly support 20 Kitchen Social hubs to
deliver sports-based summer programs tackling holiday time social isolation and developing essential life skills in underserved young Londoners. Crucially, these will be underpinned by the provision of good quality, nutritious daily meals.”
Rachel Box, Founder and CEO of Local Village Network, said:
“We want all young Londoners to have a positive, fun filled summer. The Local Village Network platform provides a portal to thousands of free activities across London, searchable by time, day, location and activity, enabling young people, parents, carers and youth workers to find something inspiring to do this summer.”