In May, we launched our new project, ‘On The Tracks’, in partnership with TDC, Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership, Thameslink & Southern Rail.
What is the On The Tracks project?
The partnership successfully secured funding to deliver a targeted early intervention and detached youth work outreach programme, focused on supporting young people travelling into Brighton & Hove via the rail network, to prevent youth harm, exploitation and anti-social behaviour across the city.
This project will see our TDC Youth Workers boarding trains along the main lines heading into Brighton, engaging directly with young people during their journeys to provide support and guidance, such as discussions about where they’re going, how to plan their trips safely, how they’re getting home and ensuring they have any resources or information they may need, with the hope of helping them feel welcome and supported on their journeys.
Our dedicated youth bus will also provide a safe and supportive space near the station for mentoring, welfare support, safeguarding conversations and onward referrals for young people identified as vulnerable or at risk.
Our first session
On 22nd May, TDC Youth Workers Adam, Sadie & Charlotte boarded their first train of the project. They went from Brighton up to East Croydon, speaking with young people on their trips to find out how they felt about having youth workers on trains, giving young people the space to share their thoughts, ask any questions they may have, and share ideas of what they think would be useful for future sessions. This gave us some brilliant feedback and things to reflect on which we will take forward into our practice in future On The Tracks sessions!
Below are some images of the team in action!
What next?
There are a total of 32 sessions that are planned to take place within the next year. We are super excited to be given the opportunity to do this great work and are looking forward to seeing how this will develop in the coming months.
You can stay up to date with the project by following our Instagram pages: @brightonstreets1 & @tdcyouthteam
