SW!TCH Minds: Looking back at our first year
To mark the first year of SW!TCH Minds, Rachel Dunford Consulting were commissioned as an external evaluator to review the impact the programme has had. We’d like to share some of our findings about the amazing work being done by LifeLine Project’s Youth Development Workers during a very challenging year.
Building better physical health for young people in Barking and Dagenham
There have been growing concerns in recent years over a rise in a sedentary lifestyles among young people—much has been said of the rise of technology such as social media playing a role. And we can see this starkly at a local level: even before the pandemic, research has shown that Barking and Dagenham has had one of the lowest levels of participation in physical activity across all of London.
More than just advice
As a new parent, Ann was concerned about her son Zack’s behaviour and concentration and was keen to get some support and advice about how to help him. Ann and Zack started attending a play and communication group run by
Preparing for secondary school
LifeLine’s Morphing Club helped year 6 students who may find the transition from primary to secondary school challenging. They played games and ran drama sessions to help children reflect, make better choices and learn to work with others. Some of
Joined-up services create community
The word ‘ubuntu’ 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 ‘one is an animal but two is a community’: humanity comes through being part of the community; all human beings are members of an extended family.
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.
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.
Providing the best care 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
Blessed are the peacemakers – How should a youth work organisation respond when there is a serious incident?
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.
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.