To those who are in the fortunate position of having secure employment, those who can work from home safely, and those who are able to donate at this time, I encourage you to think creatively about how you can provide support to those young people who have also been affected by this terrible virus.
For many young people, Coronavirus is the least of many issues. The threat of youth violence particularly in these unstable times is still very real. Mental health issues will increase in these times of isolation, as too the lack of aspiration and positive experiences.
XLP is still working with large numbers of young people, not isolating or distancing, but challenging and changing this narrative by adapting our work in the current crisis.
We are working with schools and partners to support them in delivering tutoring who need it the most especially those at risk of exclusion with 1-2-1 mentoring happening on line, but also doing this as part of the tutoring sessions
As our youth workers are key workers they are able to do agreed 1-2-1 meetings with social distancing.
We are connecting with our mentoring online, including doing online home visits
We have set up new Instagram and Snapchat accounts, creating daily challenges for young people to keep focussed as well as physically and mentally active.
We have created some online games tournaments so young people can meet and play together, and do at home what they used to do on the double-decker buses
We will be running our Arts Showcases regularly. This week, where six different artists performed live online to 75 people.
We are running online fitness sessions as part of our Sports programme
Donating your Travel Card savings will give a young person a ticket to ride in the right direction to their future destination.
Please donate now, and for the next three months if you can, and as much as you can. Thank you, on behalf of the many young people we are still working with.
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