Youth Service Priorities

Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19.

The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:

  • Be healthy
  • Stay safe
  • Enjoy and achieve
  • Make a positive contribution
  • Achieve economic well-being

This means that the organisations involved with providing services to children - from hospitals and schools, to police and voluntary groups - will be teaming up in new ways, sharing information and working together, to protect children and young people from harm and help them achieve what they want in life. Children and young people will have far more say about issues that affect them as individuals and collectively.

The Youth Support Service in Waltham Forest is for 13-19 year olds. The Service operates a weekly programme out of four youth centres and community buildings in each of the areas, North, Central and South.

Programme

Youth work sessions have a group work focus and engage young people in various fun and innovative activities that can lead to an accreditation. The project works with young people to raise self-esteem and self-awareness and also encourage young people become good citizens and be involved in community cohesion.

Activities include:

  • Creative Arts
  • Youth Achievement Award
  • Drama
  • Residentials
  • Youth Exchanges (national & international) and activities identified by the group as of interest.

Some sessions are also run to engage young people in issue-based workshops for example drug information, environment, health.

Youth workers aim to deliver to the groups in ways that ensure positive relationships are formed and maintained. Other agencies are brought in to deliver specialist sessions where necessary. The sessions are open to all young people aged 13-19 living in or attending school in Waltham Forest.

Other youth support services

Summer University

This is a programme of learning activities run in partnership with Waltham Forest College. The service takes referrals to this programme from schools, the Youth Offending Team and other partner agencies. The programme will offer various taster activities that young people can gain an accreditation in for example :

  • Photography
  • Sports
  • Fashion
  • Self defence
  • Music production
  • DJ skills and many more

Counselling, support and advice

Face2Face offers a range of services to young people aged 11-21, including counselling, advice, and a contraception and sexual health clinic. You can phone for an appointment or come along to one of the Drop In sessions.

Address:
Face2Face
The Score Building
100 Oliver Road
Leyton, E10 5JY
Tel 0844 600 1256
Fax 0844 931 0128

Mentoring service

Thinking about making changes in your life? If you would like support in making positive life changes, for example, to do with school, careers, family, relationships? The Youth Support Service offers a Mentoring Service for young people. Young people may find talking to an independent adult helps in developing ways of coping with situations that occur in life.

To learn more about this service contact us at:

Pastures Youth Centre
Davies Lane
Leytonstone, E11 3DR
Tel 020 8496 1504/1509
E-Mail: Dyon.Munroe-robinson@walthamforest.gov.uk

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award celebrates 50 years of working with young people this year. Currently the Youth Support Service is running independent groups for young people not at school, as well as groups in secondary schools with young people from those schools able to take part.

The Award is a programme of leisure time activities which challenges all young people between the ages of 14 and 25, to serve others, acquire new skills, experience adventure, enjoy a physical activity and make new friends, young and old.

Participants can develop existing interests or try something new. Whatever they choose to do for their Award, they can find enjoyment, excitement and satisfaction. Anyone with the necessary perseverance and effort can gain an Award.

Young people are encouraged to choose activities which suit their particular interests and talents, and which are appropriate to the environment in which they live.

Would you like to be a volunteer?

Are you 16+? Do you want to develop new skills, work with young people in the community, have an opportunity for personal development and gain recognition for your achievement?

For further information contact Nigel Williams
E-Mail: Nigel.Williams@walthamforest.gov.uk

Contact us

Youth Service Central Office
Outset Building
2a Grange Road
Walthamstow  E17 8AH

Tel 020 8496 1530
Fax 020 8496 1536
Email youth.service@walthamforest.gov.uk