02/03/2021 – A Newham consortium of local organisations – which includes Fight for Peace – has been awarded funding from the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) as part of the MyEnds programme.

Funding will see Fight for Peace, Ambition Aspire Achieve, Rights and Equalities in Newham, and Exit Foundation work closely together, and with local young people, to deliver a programme of activities encompassing youth work, employment support, family activities, sports, and help for local grassroots organisations.

“At this time of unprecedented challenge, this announcement from the London VRU really is excellent news. This brings significant additional investment into the borough to improve safety, wellbeing and young people’s future prospects,” said Fight for Peace CEO Jenny Oklikah.

The VRU’s MyEnds programme has been developed to put communities at the forefront of preventing violence by promoting locally designed interventions in areas of London that are affected by high and sustained levels of violence.

“Our programme will be co-designed with young people, including those whose voices are not usually heard, and supported by partners including Shanae Oldham from youth-led project Your Life More Life”, explained Jenny. “We would like to thank Newham Council for their strong support, and we will also be working with schools, the police and other partners to ensure resources are targeted effectively.”

“Exit Foundation are very proud to be a part of the consortium”, said Paul Dayes, Director of Exit Foundation, one of the consortium partners. “We look forward to supporting young people in the Newham borough and helping to make a positive difference.”

Jonny Boux, Chief Executive of Ambition Aspire Achieve said: “This presents a unique opportunity to make a real and lasting difference where it’s most needed. We very much look forward to working with partners to make the project a success.”

Meanwhile, Rights and Equalities in Newham Chief Executive Paul Leslie expressed how pleased REIN was to be part of a consortium that has secured My Ends funding, adding: “We aim to make a real and sustained difference to the lives of young people and strengthen the communities in which they live.”

The work of the Newham based consortium will be focussed on Canning Town North, Custom House and Plaistow South wards, with three areas of particular focus: the ‘Barking Road corridor’ (the short run from Canning Town Station to McDonalds), Freemasons Road and Prince Regent Lane.

Activities planned as part of the programme delivery will include:

• Community-based sports activities to build resilience, fitness, and positive relationships;
• Work with schools to identify and support young people at risk of exclusion;
• Detached youth work to engage young people on the streets;
• Intensive one-to-one mentoring and group sessions for young people, and coordinated referrals into other services;
• Support for local grassroots organisations;
• And employment support and qualifications for young people and community members.

This newly formed Newham consortium believes deeply in the power of partnership among organisations and young people, particularly when it brings together such diverse and complementary skills from across the community.