Hove YMCA in East BrightonThe Youth Inclusion Project (YIP & YIP+) in East Brighton is a small, friendly team offering free support to young people who are getting into trouble, or ‘at risk' of getting in trouble, through anti-social or offending behaviour either with the Police, Community Safety Team or at their school. We work with young people aged between 8-17 years old living in the East Brighton area (Bates Estate, Higher Bevendean, Manor Place, Moulsecoomb, Saunders Park & Whitehawk).
We offer non-judgemental support and actively encourage young people to become more involved in activities, groups and clubs to enjoy the benefits of their school & community. YIP & YIP+ works in partnership with the eb4U Community Safety Team, the Youth Offending Team and Hove YMCA.
Young people we work with may be:
- Getting into trouble with the Police
- Getting into trouble in the Community
- Mixing with other young people who are involved in crime
- Getting excluded from School
- Not attending School
- Using drugs or alcohol
- Experiencing issues at home affecting feelings and behaviour
- Suffering from a lack of confidence
How can we help?
Through an assessment process we work with young people to develop an action plan. We can support young people in their involvement with other agencies such as School, Youth Services, Social Care Services and the Community Safety Team. We can also help their parents to access local parenting support. Young people who make positive progress with their action plan will have the opportunity to take part in reward activities such as:
- bowling
- cinema trips
- go-karting
- horse riding
- mountain biking
- and day trips to theme parks
An action plan may include:
- Regular meetings with a Youth Worker
- Attending group work sessions with other young people
- Getting more help and support at school
- Learning to communicate better with teachers, police and adults
- Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs)
- Managing anger and keeping out of trouble
- Learning about the effects of drugs and alcohol
- Opportunities to make new friends and take part in diversionary activities such as football, dance, art, skateboarding or another activity that the young person is interested in.
How do young people get involved?
Young people are referred onto the project by professionals concerned that they are ‘at risk' of being excluded from school or getting into trouble with the Police or in the Community. These include Teachers, Police Officers, Social Workers, Youth Workers, Housing Officers, Education Welfare Officers and Neighbourhood Wardens.
The completed referral form gives us information about each young person and why they are ‘at risk'. Our project then decides whether a young person could benefit from being involved. If accepted a worker will arrange to meet the young person and parent/carer to explain in more detail what the project can offer.
Aims of the project:
- To reduce offending and anti-social behaviour in East Brighton
- To increase school attendance and access to employment and training
- To ensure young people are included in mainstream activities
- To offer support to young people to help them overcome a variety of social problems