DETACHED & THE COMMUNITY
With serious crime, county lines and youth violence continuing to be an issue, facing young people in Berkshire, our detached youth work has continued to grow. This project focuses on young people who are at risk of becoming involved in these activities or who are at risk of exclusion from school, therefore increasing their potential risk. Our detached work is where youth workers proactively go out in to communities and meet with young people wherever they are such as parks and playgrounds.
All young people involved in our youth programmes reported they would recommend them to friends, feel more connected to their community, and are less likely to engage in trouble. In areas where we deliver detached youth work, we’ve observed a decrease in anti-social behaviour and youth-related crime, along with an increase in young people participating in positive activities. Investing in preventative services like youth work can break cycles of crisis and failure, delivering long-term benefits. This investment not only supports young people but also alleviates pressures on the NHS, criminal justice system, and employment support services, yielding both financial and social returns.
Social Value of Youth Work:
• Clear association between an increase in crime rates and reduced funding for the youth sector.
• Every £ the government invests in youth work generates up to £6.40 in benefits to the taxpayer.
• £3 billion - estimated total indirect value of the youth work sector
– £0.5bn from decreased crime
– £1.7bn from improved health
– £0.8bn from increased employment and education
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Source: UK Youth & Frontier Economics, 2022​​​
