MORE than 180 young people from Thurrock have benefited from support thanks to a £17,934 grant to Riverview Charitable Trust 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 Riverview Charitable Trust organised multi-sport, crafts and cooking activities in Purfleet, actively promoting physical and mental wellbeing, held during youth club sessions on two evenings per week. Youth workers gave in-depth support on education and with job opportunities and career development.

This funding formed part of a multi-funded project that enabled an increase in focused sessions with youth support staff.

Workshop topics included cultural traditions, dealing with stress, support on achieving life goals, and on career aspirations.

The Trust saw an increase in the number of girls attending and identified a need for girls' football, successfully signposting 14 to a new girls-only football club.

Rio Odeku, Riverview Charitable Trust is really pleased with the results. He said: "The project went really well. Unlike previous years, the project saw summer participation numbers carry on into winter and overall there has been a 40% increase in the number of young people attending the services. It gave young people a safe and interesting place to come to and they have shown improved resilience, self-esteem and confidence."

The project also brought in an equal amount of matched funding from other sources.

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. 

Essex Police Commissioner Roger Hirst, who is Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership said: "The VVU community grant programme is a real success story, it funds projects in local areas to do targeted work based on what communities need in order to protect and support children from becoming involved in serious violence. 

"From mentoring to youth clubs, drama to sports session, projects are delivering the activities that young people not only want to engage in, but we know keep them supported and safe. 

"I personally want to thank all those who've been involved in last year's programme and remind community groups there is still time to apply for the 2026/27 grant."

 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.