£11,051 grant supports 110 young people in Thurrock

Over 110 young people from Thurrock are enjoying brighter futures thanks to an £11,051 grant from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) to the organisation, Riverview Charitable Trust.

The Violence and Vulnerability Unit Community Grant Scheme (VVUCGS) is available annually for local groups to develop bespoke support for young people. Applications for activities in 2025/26 are now open, entries close on Monday 23 September 2024.

The VVU’s funding in 2023/24 supported Riverview Charitable Trust to deliver after-school weekly activity and mentoring support for young people aged 11-18 years old. The activity took place in a youth club setting, providing a safe place with trusted adults for young people to attend after school. The youth club offered engaging activities including games, sports, arts and crafts, music, cooking, mentoring and academic support like assistance with homework. The activities helped steer young people away from crime and risky behaviour.

The grant also enabled Riverview Charitable Trust to work collaboratively with the wider community to provide other activities such as a basketball showcase and a hate crime workshop facilitated by Essex Police. Riverview Charitable Trust was also able to train two new team members.

Rio Odeku, Youth Lead at Riverview Charitable Trust, said: “Thanks to the VVU’s funding, we have been able to provide a safe space for young people to go, where they can talk to trusted adults. The youth club has allowed them to open up and have more in-depth discussions about their experiences and any issues they are facing. We’ve been able to carry out more effective interventions and also raise awareness with young people about the issues around substance misuse.

“The project has served 2,500+ hot meals at the young club, which is reducing hunger and risky behaviour among young people in our local area. More parents, partners and young people are aware of what our youth provision offers, so we are now in a better position to provide support and increase our offer.”

Riverview Charitable Trust was one of 17 community groups who in 2023/24 helped support more than 7000 young people across the county with a wide range of interactive projects. In a recent survey that asked about the impact of the project, 82 per cent of participants agreed the project they attended has helped them to make positive choices around keeping safe and had a positive impact on their mental health.¹

Today, Roger Hirst, Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership and Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex thanked Riverview Charitable Trust for supporting young people in Thurrock.

Mr Hirst said: “We must never underestimate the fantastic work being delivered by local organisations in communities right across the county. The projects, embedded in their local area, understand the needs of the young people they are working with, and can provide the support needed to address risk factors such as violence, lack of engagement in education, isolation and poor mental health. So many young people have been helped thanks to the 23/24 VVUCGS and I encourage organisations to apply for next year’s grant and continue this great work.”

Riverview Charitable Trust supports children and young people who are experiencing disadvantage. To find out more about the organisation and their work in the local community, visit www.riverview.org.uk.