The Mayor of London has announced a package of measures that will be used to reduce violence over the school summer holidays.
By offering access to positive opportunities, young people are being diverted away from violence thanks to £2 million worth of activities and targeted interventions. Opportunities will be on offer for those who are in most need of them, with these covering training, employment, or activity in areas from sports, to music production.
This support is on offer at a vital time, with young people being much more vulnerable to violence and exploitation during the summer holidays.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:
“Tackling violence is my top priority and I’m committed to building a safer London for everyone by being tough on violence and tough on its complex causes.
“That means putting the next generation of Londoners front and centre and working to provide the investment, support and helping hand for young people who need it the most.
“My Violence Reduction Unit is investing in activities this summer to prevent young people from becoming vulnerable to exploitation and to violence. I want young people to experience the unrivalled opportunities this city provides and to be safe, to develop and to thrive.
Beginning this week, the £2 million of funding will offer young people opportunities through the following measures:
- Sport – Investment into 20 grassroots organisations to provide holiday sports provision through the week and at weekends. This will come in areas that are typically underserved by sport, with the funding helping to overcome barriers to access including travel costs and access to food.
- Stronger Futures – An after-school programme, this will deliver tailored support for 30,000 young people between the ages of eight and eighteen during the summer. This will be done through mentoring, creative activities., family support, diversionary activities, entrepreneurship, and leadership training.
The Violence Reduction Unit was established – and is funded by – the mayor to lead the nation’s capital in tackling violence. The unit uses an approach that is rooted in prevention and early intervention, with this supporting grassroots organisations, charities and local authorities to offer early support for positive opportunities for young people.
An introduction to London's Violence Reduction Unit.
— London's Violence Reduction Unit (@LDN_VRU) February 8, 2022
Find out more about what who we are, what we do and the approach we are taking to tackle violence.
A fully accessible version can be found here: https://t.co/3sgH75dn6M@SadiqKhan @MayorofLondon @LibPeck pic.twitter.com/kNQTK3sTeH
Director of the Violence Reduction Unit, Lib Peck, added:
“The summer holidays are a really important period in a young person’s life. It should be time to explore, to have fun and to build and make friendships.
“That’s why, with the Mayor’s investment and support, we’re delivering on a programme of activities this summer for thousands of young people to ensure they are safe, supported and have access to opportunities.
“We’re committed to investing in young people and giving them the opportunities they deserve because we firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable.”
Image credit: iStock
