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Information on

• Jigsaw Project
• Solomon Prevention Project
• Befriending Project
• MARS Project
• Nehemiah Project
• Intensive Intervention Project

Jigsaw Project

The Jigsaw Project is a confidential 1:1 support service for young people in Walsall under the age of 18 who are at risk of, or involved in, sexual exploitation. Associated areas of risk include peer bullying, Internet safety, involvement in drug misuse and running away.

 

The Jigsaw workshops programme concentrates on building confidence and self-esteem over a set period of weeks. The activities include learning about healthy and unhealthy relationships, art, beauty therapy, cooking, sexual health and teenage pregnancy, keeping safe, drug and alcohol awareness as well as learning to thrive and respect others in a group environment. Sometimes the sessions include a residential break and day trips.

 

In partnership with Dudley Safeguarding Board a Jigsaw satellite is being set up in the neighbouring borough to serve the needs of vulnerable, at risk, young people in Dudley. In partnership with the Children's Society a pilot project is being researched to address the link between sexual exploitation and runaways.

 

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Solomon Prevention Project

Solomon is a multi-media interactive presentation for young people in Years 6, 7 & 8 in local schools, PRU's, care homes and youth groups. Solomon presents the reality of exploited relationships and aims to empower young people to be able to choose healthy relationships and keep themselves safe. The primary function of Solomon is to create an awareness of the issue, and reassure pupils that there is support and advice available. Solomon hopes that young people will learn to recognise the warning signs of an abusive relationship. Through this work individuals at risk are identified and are subsequently engaged on the Jigsaw Project.

 

Solomon is also offered to professionals as a training package. This includes raising the awareness of the signs to identify in young people at risk of sexual exploitation and understanding the grooming process.

 

"An attitude of 'that's the way it is' has been changed. It stirs up a new passion and anger towards the injustice of it all." Black Country ISSP worker, Solomon Training

 

"I was shocked as to how much I didn't knows, the session has really opened my eyes to the extent of sexual exploitation of children." Childrens Services Initial Response Worker, Solomon Training

 

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Befriending Project

The Befriending Project is a volunteer led project offering support to adult women previously involved in prostitution, who are rebuilding their lives whilst receiving treatment for their drug addiction. The emphasis is on social support and relationship building, as opposed to mentoring, which works towards set goals. The relationships are non-judgemental, mutual, purposeful, and there is a commitment to sustain the relationship over time. This service is currently being offered in the Manor Women's Project, Walsall.

 

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MARS Project

MARS (young Men At Risk of Sexual exploitation) works with boys under the age of 18 at risk of, or involved in, sexual exploitation. These young boys need help in reducing the hidden risks, raising the awareness of Internet dangers and safe relationships. Associated areas of concern are confidence, identity, stress/anxiety, substance misuse, self-harm, sexual health, engagement with education, housing, domestic violence and finances. Many of these young people come from a background of local authority care and have a history of sexual abuse, neglect or emotional abuse. There is often family disruption, conflict, instability, poor relationship with family and peers. Many experience low self-esteem, expectations and vulnerability.

 

Support involves direct one-to-one work, whereby boys identified or referred to the YPSE Panel are engaged to reduce their vulnerability. Appointments are set up with specialist agencies thus enabling a multi-agency approach.

 

Other work includes offering awareness raising sessions to schools, youth clubs, PRU's and residential units to make contact with those most vulnerable and at risk. This awareness raising is also available to professionals with the goal of enlarging capacity across the professional sphere, ensuring early detection, prevention and intervention takes place and leads to an increase of referrals to the project.

 

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Nehemiah Project

The Nehimiah Project works with young people at risk of exclusion or offending, through one-to-one support and workshop programme. Nehemiah provides opportunities for young people to fulfil their true potential and develop personal and social skills, gain confidence to achieve tasks, reduce anti-social behaviour and re-engage with education and training.

 

Nehemiah provides support to disadvantaged, vulnerable and hard to reach groups, facilitating their access to services and improving their health and living environment. Nehemiah is aimed at supporting young people likely to be excluded from and / or under perform in the school system.

 

Nehemiah workshops run one day a week for 10 - 12 weeks. Topics covered include self-esteem, confidence building, cooking & healthy eating, graphic design, sexual health, team building, communication, relationships and Basic First Aid. In order for users to express themselves in a practical way and also to implement learning from character building sessions they are taken out on trips such as go-karting, bowling, fishing and outward bound. During these times issues such as health & safety, confidence, self-improvement etc are addressed.

 

Referrals are received from Youth Offending, Transitional Leaving Care Team, Social Services, supported accommodation and local comprehensive schools. The average age of participants ranges between 15 - 17 years.

 

"I have seen a significant improvement in attitude and attendance at school". Teacher

 

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