Safer Routes walking home from school

Young people in Waltham Forest report feeling the most unsafe in the hours after school or sixth form, which is why the Council has launched an exciting new initiative called Safer Routes to keep young people safe on the walk home. 

This pilot programme has been co-designed by young people, from helping to identify the areas they feel most unsafe to participating in ongoing feedback sessions. It is now being delivered across the whole borough. Officers from Creative Engagement Services (the provider for this programme) are stationed along known routes for young people walking home between 3-6pm every week day, to look out for young people as well as signposting them to out-of-school activities or services if required. This pilot has been funded for the next two years, until early 2027. 

The youth workers working on Safer Routes are all fully DBS checked and are wearing high visibility jackets and identifying lanyards. They have received up to date first aid training and are equipped with first aid kits.

Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, and Councillor Kizzy Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, went to meet some of the youth workers involved in the Blackhorse Road area of Walthamstow. 

Cllr Limbajee said: “This is an initiative we’re really proud of, something that young people themselves have asked for and helped us to design. We’ve been absolutely blown  away by the positive response we’ve had so far from parents, schools and the wider community and the fact we’re able to fund this for the next two years means we really have an opportunity to make a difference in building young people’s resilience on the way home from school.”

Wayne George, Founder and Managing Director of Creative Engagement Services, sat down with us to speak in more depth about the pilot and his work with the community. 

Watch our short video with Wayne George. 

If you have a question about Safer Routes or want to know how you can get involved, email communitysafety@walthamforest.gov.uk