Connected Youth CIC

Connected Youth (CIC) is centred on care leavers and their lived experiences. Over the past year, our focus has been on equipping young people with positive coping mechanisms through exercise and nutrition. These activities have been linked to wider themes of mental wellbeing, safety in the community, drugs and alcohol. Through these varied initiatives, Connected Youth has created opportunities for young people to build resilience, develop life skills, strengthen positive relationships, and celebrate identity and culture, all while ensuring care leavers and young people in the community feel heard, valued, and supported in shaping their futures. Jan 2024-Dec 2024 Football Sessions: In February/March 2024, a five-a-side football taster session was organised as an additional weekend activity. This was offered to 4 residential care homes in the boroughs of Hounslow ans Hillingdon, these homes accommodate and support young people in care. Some of these young people were asylum seekers and this gave them the opportunity to meet other young people, form friendships, improve their language skills and improve their fitness. Additionally some of the young people who attended were at risk/vulnerable to gang influence so these sessions provided them with a positive outlet, kept them positively engaged and increased their confidence and well-being. Mental Health Awareness Week (13th–17th May 2024), for this a programme of activities was delivered across the three residential homes in Hillingdon and Hounslow which provide support and accommodation for care leavers aged 16-18. • Young women’s sessions: Around ten care leavers took part in sessions focusing on staying safe in the community. They also received a presentation on the misuse of drugs and alcohol, organised by CY facilitators. They were consulted about what CY could offer them and what activities they would like CY to run. • Residential home-based activities: Staff at three residential homes for care leavers ran sessions on community safety, exercise for fitness, and strategies for managing mental wellbeing. • Final day gathering: The week concluded with all young people coming together. A video presentation was delivered on community safety, and although a counsellor from HYPE (invited to speak on drugs and alcohol) could not attend in person, she provided leaflets, resources for accessing support, and a short video. The final day placed particular emphasis on exercise and nutrition: • CY volunteers and young people learned coping mechanisms through boxing skills and techniques. Some participants also demonstrated yoga and skipping as personal coping strategies when emotionally stressed. • CY facilitators delivered a practical nutrition workshop on balanced diets and affordable, healthy meals. Young people cooked simple dishes from scratch, such as shepherd’s pie, learning how to portion, store leftovers, and prepare vegetables for stir-fry or freezing. • The young people were consulted about what they enjoyed and what ideas/activities they would like CY to organise in the future. Influence: The activities were well-received, with young people asking for more sessions involving active participation, such as boxing and yoga. Those involved in the cooking took away recipes and reported trying them at home, helping to ensure at least one nutritious meal each day, particularly after college. Feedback included comments such as: • “I was looking forward to my leftovers.” • “I’ve been trying out the exercise moves as a way to keep fit.” In August 2024, young people from four residential homes in Hounslow and Hillingdon enjoyed a trip to the zoo, funded by Connected Youth. The outing provided an opportunity for young people to socialise, strengthen friendships, and take part in a positive, enriching experience outside of their usual environment.