Eastside Young Leaders Academy (EYLA) - UK
Tackling serious youth violence
Since 2002, EYLA has been working with disadvantaged children and young people in London susceptible to participating in anti-social behaviour and violent crime. 43% of the young people they work with have been or have a family member or friend who has been the victim of a knife crime, 40% have participated in local gangs and their exposure to alcohol and drugs is all but daily.
EYLA specialises in steering children and young people vulnerable to anti-social and criminal behaviour towards a life based on learning and leadership. They currently work with >300 boys and girls at their centre in Newham and a further 500+ through the in-schools programme
The ALMT are supporting EYLA to deliver a project that provides crisis intervention and intensive holistic support to boys and girls in Newham, including:
- Supervision and mentoring by a specialist youth worker
- Access to mental health services
- After school educational projects, music, sport and career development (3 nights per week and Saturdays).
- Tutoring support during term time to improve educational attainment
- Leadership training
- Access to work and volunteering opportunities
- Weekend residentials that will combine all of the above
- On call emergency response for participating boys and their families
The project aims to halt participants' involvement in anti-social and criminal behaviour including membership of gangs and participation in violence; improve mental health and emotional wellbeing; improve life skills and employability. 80% of participants will exit the programme positively either staying in education or entering employment.
The University of Greenwich will work with EYLA to establish an evaluative framework. They will gather qualitative data on the efficacy of this model of intervention, which will be used to inform future development and delivery.
