PFCC supports young people in Basildon with £20,000 grant to Bar ‘n’ Bus

Bar ‘n’ Bus works with churches, councils and schools to develop and provide community-based youth work and in-school mentoring.

Vulnerable young people in Basildon now have access to a full-time youth worker, both at school and on the streets thanks to a grant from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

Having delivered detached youth work sessions on the streets of Basildon since 2020, the provision has now grown to see one-to-one support and group work provided at all of the town’s secondary schools. Young people also now have access to a cookery programme – based at the Salvation Army – to give them the skills to take care of themselves at home.

“Giving young people positive role models, life skills and opportunities for a fulfilling future are huge keys to setting them on the right path in life." ~ Commissioner Hirst

The Commissioner contributed £20,000 to Bar N Bus from the 2022-23 Crime Prevention Fund to deploy a full-time youth worker in Basildon Borough.

Commissioner Roger Hirst said: “Giving young people positive role models, life skills and opportunities for a fulfilling future are huge keys to setting them on the right path in life. Children without this support network are at huge risk of falling victim to exploitation and County Lines.

“With this piece of work, families in Basildon can be sure their young people are receiving the support they need, whether that is at school or out in the community.”

Cllr Andrew Baggott, Leader of Basildon Council and Cabinet Member for Enforcement & Public Order, said: “We warmly welcome this intervention by the Commissioner, which will allow young people in Basildon an opportunity to develop personally and socially. We want young people in our borough to live full lives, free from the threat of exploitation.

“The excellent work Bar N Bus are doing to develop programmes directly with the young people engaged is equipping them with the skills they need to live fulfilling lives and enabling them to make a positive contribution to both their families and the wider community.

“This full-time youth worker will give these young people a trusted adult to give consistency and build a rapport."

“We warmly welcome this intervention by the Commissioner, which will allow young people in Basildon an opportunity to develop personally and socially." ~ Cllr Andrew Baggott, Leader of Basildon Council

Additionally, voluntary and community safety groups across Basildon can also apply for a funding boost from the PFCC’s Community Safety Development Fund.

The £333,000 fund offers grants of up to £20,000 for community projects that help to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Essex, as well as supporting vulnerable people.

Applications to the fund have to demonstrate that they will make a positive impact on at least one of the Police and Crime Plan or Fire and Rescue Plan priorities which can be found on the PFCC website at  https://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/

You can find out more about the work of the PFCC at Mr Hirst’s upcoming public meeting, taking place at the Basildon Centre in St Martin's Square on Tuesday, January 17th.

It starts at 7pm at the Basildon Centre in the Council Chamber.