Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Violence Reduction Network (VRN) has teamed up with two local organisations to further strengthen the partnership’s strategy to prevent and reduce serious violence by tackling its root causes.
The VRN, an alliance of groups, communities and organisations across the city and two counties, has commissioned Leicester City in the Community to lead on a new sports and physical activity programme and Leicestershire Cares to lead on an innovative education, training and employment initiative.
Both programmes aim to build on established successful programmes which support young people who are at risk of or involved in violence by providing tailored one to one and group support to build tangible skills as well as their confidence and self-esteem.
Both organisations will work with young people aged 11 to 25 who are engaged in other VRN initiatives – providing swift access to a wide range of opportunities relating to education, employment and training and/or sport and physical activity.
Leicester City in the Community will engage young people in a range of different activities including taster sessions, enrolment in local clubs and provide access to leisure centres and gyms.
Meanwhile Leicestershire Cares will provide a range of employability support services including CV building, career talks, mock interviews, mentoring by local business people, training courses, work placements and community work experience.
Grace Strong, Strategic Director of the VRN, said: “The success of our established Violence Intervention Project in police custody and hospital A&E as well as the Community Mentoring project and have proved the value of offering targeted, timely and tailored support for young people in these reachable moments and spaces."
“We were keen to also ensure young people also had access to concrete opportunities as we know how important it is to provide tangible alternatives to involvement in crime and violence."
Dan Mitchinson, Senior Manager (Business Development) at Leicester City in the Community said: “We are honoured to have been selected by the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Violence Reduction Network (VRN) as the Specialist Sport and Physical Activity provider.
Charlotte Robey-Turner, Head of Children and Young People at Leicestershire Cares said:
“Leicestershire Cares is committed to delivering effective, meaningful and tailored employment support to young people, and we are very pleased to be involved in this crucial project. We will be working with local employers and training providers to empower young people to develop the skills, experience and confidence needed to succeed in careers that they aspire to and reduce their involvement in serious violence.”
