Vibe supporting young people in St Helens
St Helens Borough Council have partnered with youth charity Vibe and Merseyside Police to provide outreach work, supporting young people as part of St Helens’ new Adolescent Service.
The programme, led by youth charity Vibe, will see youth work teams conduct intervention across ‘hotspot’ locations in St Helens including Parr and St Helens town centre. Hotspot areas are where incidents of anti-social behaviour are highest.
The expert youth workers will focuse on themes including mental health, substance misuse, sexual health and anti-social behaviour.
Vibe youth workers will engage with the young people in the target areas, exploring their needs, wants and barriers to engagement, helping Vibe to support them in their personal and social development.
Throughout Vibe’s intervention, youth workers will be signposting young people to local targeted support services, as well as Vibe’s successful Good Choice and PVP programmes, encouraging young people to consider the importance of their relationships, with themselves, their peers, families, and community, encouraging advocacy and becoming active members of their society.
Paul Oginsky, Chief Executive Officer of Vibe, said: “Vibe is delighted to be working with St Helens police and council to ensure the best for young people and the community. Working together in this way demonstrates a level of partnership and innovation which we hope others will emulate”.
Councillor Nova Charlton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at St Helens Borough Council, said: “This is a really crucial programme that we are delighted to be working with Vibe and Merseyside Police to deliver. This targeted work will help young people channel their energy into positive activities and will focus on those who wouldn’t necessarily normally engage with this kind of work by bringing the support to places we know they will often hang out. It’s all part of how we deliver on our priority to make sure that every young person makes a good start to life and this breaks down barriers to them getting the right support.”
Temporary Chief Inspector Jon Smith of the Neighbourhood Policing Team at St Helens, said: “This youth programme is a great example of the regular collaboration between community partners in the St Helens area and we are very pleased to support it. With Vibe’s intervention, young people that might be tempted to get involved in anti-social behaviour or worse still – criminal behaviour, can be steered away from making bad choices. Instead, they can enjoy diversionary activities, build positive relationships and learn how they can make a positive impact to the community.”
Vibe offers a range of clubs and programmes in the region including, Outdoor education, youth voice sessions and wellbeing programmes. Vibe is dedicated to supporting young people to build positive relationships with themselves and others in the community.
For more information about Vibe’s offer, visit www.vibeuk.org or email hello@vibeuk.org