Funding from Qualis Property Solutions Community Benefit Fund not only helped support Youth Hubs in North Weald, Ongar and Sheering but also opened the door to further funding from the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Zinc Arts delivers weekly, term time, youth hub sessions, providing;
- Safe, free and inclusive activities for young people
- Creative, sporting and social activities
- Early intervention and positive engagement
- Improved confidence, resilience, wellbeing and social skills
- Reduced isolation and risk of antisocial behaviour
- Access to trusted youth workers, positive role models and appropriate support
The group applied for £5,000 funding from QPS which helped them provide free, accessible sessions offering positive sporting, creative and social activities in safe community settings.
Through regular engagement with experienced youth workers and positive role models, participants developed confidence, resilience, communication and teamwork skills.
The sessions encouraged positive relationships, reduced social isolation and gave young people constructive activities during times when they may otherwise have been at greater risk of becoming involved in antisocial behaviour.
The hubs also created opportunities for informal conversations about wellbeing, healthy relationships, personal safety and making positive choices.
Staff were able to identify individual needs, offer trusted support and signpost young people to further services where appropriate.
Providing activities and refreshments free of charge ensured young people could participate regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
“We are extremely grateful to the Qualis Community Benefit Fund for supporting this important provision,” said Sonia Cakebread, Zinc Arts’ Chief Officer of Operations.
“This grant helped us secure an additional £14,000 funding from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), enabling us to extend and strengthen our Youth Hub provision.”
One young person who benefitted from attending the sessions is 12-year-old Ruby:
When she first attended the Youth Hub, Ruby was displaying antisocial behaviour and was at risk of exclusion from school. She lacked confidence and found it difficult to engage positively with adults and other young people.
Through regular attendance, Ruby developed trusting relationships with the youth workers and began participating in creative, physical and group activities. The supportive and non-judgemental environment gave her a safe space to express herself, build her confidence and make more positive choices.
As Ruby’s confidence and behaviour improved, staff recognised her potential to positively influence others.
She was offered a paid youth role, rewarded through vouchers, which gave her additional responsibility within the hub. Ruby now helps staff prepare and deliver activities, welcomes other young people and encourages those who are reluctant to participate. She also promotes respectful and positive behaviour among her peers.
Ruby has progressed from being at risk of exclusion to becoming a positive role model. The responsibility has given her a sense of purpose, strengthened her communication and leadership skills, and shown her that her actions can positively influence others.
Her journey demonstrates the impact that early intervention, trusted relationships and meaningful opportunities can have on a young person’s confidence, behaviour and aspirations.