The Home Office has provided a one-year funding extension to our Trusted Spaces pilot working in partnership with Ealing Council so we can continue to help young people at risk of exploitation.

Our Trusted Spaces project is funded through the Trusted Relationships fund, which was set up by the government to tackle the causes of Serious Youth Violence – gang involvement, exploitation, grooming and other community threats.

The team is based across the borough working in youth centres and schools with children on the edge of care. The premise is to make sure every young person has a trusted adult they can turn to in times of need, reducing the likelihood of young people finding support from riskier people and places.

During the coronavirus pandemic the team has played an instrumental role within Ealing’s community by delivering food parcels to families in need, ensuring young people understand coronavirus guidelines and running virtual sessions with young people on cooking or music. They also supported health and wellbeing checks for young people and contextual safeguarding assessments for schools.

Part of the funding covers evaluation of the project so we can measure our impact. The next part of this evaluation report is due to be submitted in summer 2021.

St Christopher’s Chief Executive Jonathan Whalley said: “This funding extension is a testament to the invaluable work that our Trusted Spaces team are undertaking with young people and families. I am so pleased we can continue to be there for these young people and reach those who may otherwise fall through the gaps in service provision. Congratulations to the team!”