January Snapshot

1st February 2021

YLF is proud to continue delivering vital services and valuable work - here's a brief update...

YLF continue to operate, despite the ongoing lockdown, and this is credit to our staff team and our amazing volunteers. Our services are not only delivering, but delivering with higher demand than ever before. We are continuing to innovate, support and thrive in the most challenging time in the lifespan of the charity.

In Addition...

Our Accompanying Adults attended 351 interviews in the the last 3 months. Not only is this an amazing achievement in terms of hours, but we should also recognise the emotional impact on our staff/volunteers. The work is very challenging, so a HUGE thank you to our Accompanying Adults and to everyone who is supporting the team.

And There Is More...

Our Mentoring work continues to support young people across the region, with the covid-specific Mentoring really taking off this month. We are now working in more schools to support students who are struggling to cope with lockdown restrictions and again the referrals really demonstrate high levels of need in our communities. There are critical levels of anxiety amongst young people, an increase in domestic related issues and concerns around online activity.

Our Mentors for Care Leavers continue to offer support to our young adults as an opportunity to offload and explore their concerns and our HeadStart Mentors continue to offer invaluable support for young people to build their resilience with mental health.

Our Legends Programme continues to provide activity opportunities (albeit on line) and it continues to think innovatively about refreshing new ways of engaging children.

Our MCYPC have been meeting online regularly and with numerous working parties. They have been addressing issues from mental health for Care Leavers, the development of tools for increasing engagement with young people, recruitment and selection of key roles within Medway’s Children’s Services and meeting with the Corporate Parents. MCYPC have also just launched a blog!

Our Recent Feedback:

Mentoring:

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the sessions that you are doing with our students they are working so well and the feedback from them is lovely to hear. One student couldn’t wait to tell me yesterday about his chat with his mentor and said that they are helping him so much!”

Volunteer Training:

“Thank you both for the session. Was really interesting and one of the best Zoom trainings I have attended this year.”

Advocacy:

“I believe the advocacy you provided was very beneficial and really helped her to express her wishes, feelings and views; that were taken into account when decisions were being made. I feel the advocacy support was extremely valuable and allowed both parents and professionals to really listen and this helped the family devise their own plan taking these into account.”

Appropriate Adults:

“I am genuinely heartened and impressed by the quality’s and the amount of time the AAs give as volunteers. One of your volunteers in particular appears to be at our station very regularly. Nothing is too much trouble for and he is regularly here for several hours, sometimes very late. I have been impressed with his communication skills, calmness, impartiality and empathy, often managing to engage and support very hard to reach individuals. The positive change in the child/vulnerable person is often quite remarkable.”

YLF Christmas Campaign:

“On behalf of the staff, young people and management of The Quarterdeck Youth Hub in Thanet, thank you very much for the 100 plus Christmas presents and selection boxes you donated. All presents were distributed to the delighted and grateful children and their families. You have bought such joy and happiness to Thanet’s most deprived children who have suffered from abuse, poverty, hardship or neglect. The work you do across the County is outstanding even during these very difficult times. It is truly appreciated.”

Befriending:

“I am so glad that I made the referral for him to have an Independent Visitor. I knew he would engage and benefit from having someone to talk to and confide in outside the foster placement. During my last visit he talked to me about how he is getting to know his visitor better and that he enjoys their time together.”