Councils launch targeted schemes to deliver extra support for youth services

Halton and Lewisham councils have devised projects, coordinated in partnership with charities and youth organisations, that aim to improve wellbeing and attainment outcomes for their young people.

Halton Council, in Cheshire, says its latest pairing with youth services provider Vibe will deliver three new programmes covering areas such as mental health, personal development, career progression and relationship building.

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In Lewisham, south-east London, young people will be able to access a new resource, the Bank of Things, which will provide access to free school equipment and other essential items such as toiletries.

The specialist programmes being delivered by Vibe: Halton Youth Outreach Halton Youth Cabinet and ‘Where’s your head at’, will target young people aged 11 to 18.

The outreach programme will see the Vibe team work with young people across Halton providing an early help referral service for those needing targeted preventative and diversionary support, the council says.

It will encourage young people to get involved in activities that complement their physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as support their educational attainment and transition to employment, it adds.

The Halton Youth Cabinet scheme will engage young people to host fortnightly meetings and facilitate links to other youth organisation events such as the UK Youth Parliament.

Meanwhile, the ‘Where’s your head at’ programme will offer an initial mental health awareness intervention over a structured 12-week period of activities, focusing on coping strategies, self-care, mindfulness and managing stress.

Halton Council says in addition to its three new programmes, Vibe will provide activities focussing on being healthy and active over the school holidays, as a delivery partner for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme in Halton.

The government launched its HAF initiative nationwide last year to provide families in receipt of free school meals support over key school holidays.

Councillor Tom McInerney, board member for young people and families, said the new partnership with Vibe was “good news” for young people in Widnes and Runcorn who would benefit greatly from the facilities offered.

Lewisham Council’s Bank of Things scheme, due to launch today (Monday) at Lewisham shopping centre, is being funded from its Young Mayor’s budget.

Based on the principles of a food bank, the resource for young people will help them access items that might otherwise be difficult for them to buy due to living in a household with low income.

The council’s young mayor and young advisors consulted with schools and youth clubs on the project and spent time with Lewisham Food Bank and charity Lewisham Local for advice on running a donation hub.

The council says the site will be staffed by volunteers with local businesses donating items and supported by young people encouraging their peers to access the resource.