Nearly 100 young people from Colchester and Tendring have benefited from support thanks to grants from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU).
The VVU undertakes interventions, awareness and education programmes to support young people, families and communities to live positive lives free of crime.
The local organisations Lads Need Dads and African Families in the UK were each given VVU grants to specifically work with young people.
Nineteen young males are currently being given practical and emotional wellbeing support with a VVU grant of £22,166 to Lads Need Dads, which cares for those who don’t have a father figure in their home.
Sonia Shaljean, Founder/Managing Director, Lads Needs Dads said. “Thanks to the support of the VVU grant, our ambassadors young men who have completed our core programmes and now receive long-term, open-ended support, have developed greater confidence, resilience, and essential life skills. Through activities such as mixed martial arts, podcast training, mentoring, and workshops on fatherhood, future careers, independent living skills, and insights from industry professionals, they are being prepared for the responsibilities and opportunities of adult life.
“Our Ambassadors also had the opportunity to represent Lads Need Dads in the wider community, engaging with stakeholder groups, policy makers, and politicians, inspiring them to believe in their potential and take an active role in shaping their futures.”
African Families in the UK were given a VVU grant of £24,900 to offer support, face-to-face sessions and workshops to over 80 young people in Colchester and Tendring with a particular focus on wellbeing, trust and safeguarding issues.
Dr. (HC) Rachel Walton, Community Ambassador/Co-Founder, African Families in the UK, said: “This project has exceeded expectations with workshops and fun activities aimed at the interests and needs of the young people involved to build skills and confidence. Safeguarding was an element, liaising with a school and helping those and their families who have suffered bullying both physically and on social media.”
Across the county the VVU awarded £312,508 to 17 projects to support young people. The schemes have focused on creating safe spaces for young people to go. These safe spaces then supported the young people in a number of ways, including raising self-esteem and confidence, building resilience and improving mental and physical wellbeing.
Feedback from young people has been good. In a recent survey, that asked a sample of young people from each project about the impact of the project, 90% agreed it had enabled them to build connections with trusted adults. 83% said it made them feel safer, 82% believed their voice was heard and 82% thought it had a positive impact of their mental and physical wellbeing.
The Violence and Vulnerability Unit Community Grant Scheme is available annually for local groups to develop bespoke local support for young people, based on what young people have said is needed in their local community.
To discover more and to apply for the Violence and Vulnerability Unit Community Grant Scheme for delivery in 2026 /27, visit www.ecvys.org.uk/funding-news. Applications must be received by 10 September at noon.
