Category: Articles
Providing the best care, even under pressure
I have always believed that the best place for most young people to learn is in mainstream school. Where that is not possible, young people need high quality alternative provision that urges them forward. I am pleased that Ofsted have
Empowered to make better choices
Charlie was referred to the Engage Project when he was in year 10. He had been excluded from school due to issues of bullying, truancy and violence. When Charlie started with us, he was defiant and argumentative. He disobeyed instruction
Joined-up services create community
ubuntu An African word for “humanity”. The word expresses the African philosophy of wholeness – it presupposes that one’s humanity is bound up with nature and with other people in the community. A popular idiom in many African communities is
Supporting young people with complex needs
We spoke with Kiera, one of our SW!TCH Youth Development Workers, about the ongoing support she’s been delivering to Rose*, a young person dealing with multiple and complex needs who had been admitted to a local mental health unit. *Names
COVID-19 and the vaccine: Community Champions
Building on their previous work supporting faith and community groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, LifeLine’s FaithAction team are now working in partnership with Strengthening Faith Institutions as part of the Government’s Community Champions scheme. This £23m programme, from the Ministry
Blessed are the peacemakers – How should a youth work organisation respond when there is a serious incident?
Blessed are the peacemakers On a quiet street in Barking, shortly before 3:45PM on Friday 12th March 2021, a 16-year-old male student was stabbed and seriously injured. As a result of the incident, he sustained life changing injuries. On Saturday
SW!TCH Minds: Helping young people become Agents for Change
Part of our wider SW!TCH initiative, SW!TCH Minds works to improve the mental health of young people through a carefully-designed programme built around weekly one-to-one mentoring sessions supported by a range of extra-curricular positive activities and opportunities to engage with the local community.
Introducing Carl Palmer, Community Development Worker
Carl was born and brought up in Leicester a city in England’s East Midlands region. He started his work career as an operative in NHS hospital operating theatres. He did this for 6 years and then got involved with the church. He moved to London to lead a church in Canning Town before moving onto Elm Park Baptist Church in Hornchurch. Carl was also an online ESOL tutor, teaching people of all ages around the world. Carl was made aware of LifeLine Projects about a year ago when he began teaching at LifeLine Church and got to know some of the LifeLine staff members.
Finding a job, fulfilling dreams
The LifeLine Job Shop opened in 2008, located on Green Lane in Dagenham, a short journey from LifeLine House. It offered free advice and support with finding work – from writing CVs and application to interview techniques.
Building a bond through mentoring
While the LifeLine School unfortunately had to close in 2020, we remain exceedingly proud of all our students and the tremendous effort they demonstrated daily. The following is the story of Charles, who came to us as a new arrival to the country and behind mainstream education.