Bus wheels in help and support for more than 1,000 young people
Praise has been given to the work of a mobile prevention bus helping to support children and young people in Sunderland.
The ‘Wear Here 4 You’ bus launched in October last year, visiting schools and communities in Sunderland to help provide support and advice to young people.
The bus is a partnership effort involving Together for Children,NorthumbriaPolice, Youth Consortium, health organisationsandothers,aiming to help ensure young people have healthy, happy lives and are not left behind.
Staff on the bus provide support on topics such as bullying, online safety, mental health, sexual health, drug and alcohol issues and careers advice.
Jane Wheeler, early help service manager at Together for Children, told councillors in Sunderland the 12-month bus pilot scheme is already proving to be a hit with many young people.
Shesaid:“Thisisnotayouth bus, it’s a prevention bus, it’s not specifically for young people,it’sforchildren,youngpeopleandtheirfamilyandcarers, sowe’reusingitinlotsofdifferent ways.
“The bus offers a recognisable point of information, support and contact for our children, young people and theirfamiliesanditwillengage with children and young peopleonmattersthataffectthem.
“Hopefully it will support
the relationships that they have with adults, especially around trusted adults.”
The comments were made at the latest city council children,educationandskillsscrutiny committee.
Thebuswasinitiallyusedas a hub in some wards as part of the holiday activities and food programme last summer, beforeanagreementwassecured for the 12 month “Wear Here 4 You” pilot.
SinceitslaunchinOctober, thebushasbeenusedtodeliver 10 sessions in schools, reaching 1,320 children and young people.
A total of 10 sessions have been offered in Park Lane, with 473 young people attending, while three sessions have been held in each of Washington and Hetton, which have also engaged with more than 150 children.
Councillors at the meeting also praised the work of everyoneinvolved,addingtheyhope it continues.
People can visit https:// twitter.com/tfcyouthvoice to see where the bus is going next.