20 Years of Preventing Violence and Exploitation
We've come on a long journey from a local project to a nationally-recognised approach.
For the past 20 years we have been learning and evolving
Children and young people have been central to how we have shaped our work and lived experience has played a crucial role in its delivery. As we move into the next 20 years of helping children and young people impacted by violence and exploitation, we would like to hear your thoughts on how the future should look for young people growing up in 2026 and beyond.
Sharing two decades of learning through training, evidence and influence
Read about how we set up, grew and - most importantly - learned from the young people we worked with below ↓
Building trust through lived experience
2006-2007 - SOS begins. On 2 October 2006, Junior Smart was released from HMP Rochester. The following day, he began working with St Giles, supporting young men leaving custody and returning to communities affected by serious violence and gangs.
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Reaching young people at moments of crisis
2015-2017 - we started our hospital-based violence reduction work and the term 'county-lines' enters public consciousness.
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Developing early intervention
2008-2010 - Schools and parents ask Junior to provide group sessions that raise awareness and equip children with the knowledge and tools to stay safe. The sessions use role play and real-life scenarios to help children explore the consequences of different choices through critical thinking.
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From local practice to wider delivery
2017-2019 - we reached more than 24,000 people in schools and established our first-ever dedicated county lines intervention project in Kent.
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Recognising child criminal exploitation
2011-2014 - Caseworkers increasingly observe a shift in the nature of gangs and exploitation: younger and more vulnerable children are being targeted and are frequently reported missing.
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Reducing Violence & Exploitation
2020-2026 - The work expands beyond two distinct projects to become a nationally recognised model of good practice.
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Junior Smart founded St Giles' work with children and young people 20 years ago through establishing the SOS Project. Here he reflects on the changing world around young people and how work has evolved to meet these dynamics.
Building trust takes time. That is why support like yours matters.
Our Impact 2025/2026
12,761
new clients were supported
3,045
new clients engaged with our violence & exploitation projects
10,625
of our clients were provided with risk and safety support
8,250
of our clients improved their wellbeing
8,515
new clients engaged with our justice projects
5,543
of our clients were provided with education, training and employment support
8,739
visits were made to our Pantries
5,513
of our clients were provided with finance, benefit and debt support
£10 a month
Could fund access to a trusted adult mentor, keeping a young person supported and safe
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£100 a month
Could support people rebuilding their lives after exploitation, homelessness, addiction or involvement in the criminal justice system through long-term support, advocacy and education opportunities.
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£20 a month
Could provide practical support around unsafe housing, overwhelming bills, emotional well-being, and navigating systems that can feel impossible to face alone.
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Other ways to support us
Put your best foot forward for St Giles! We have a range of challenge events and other fundraising opportunities where you can achieve your goals whilst supporting our work.
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£50 a month
Could fund one-to-one mentoring, hospital-based interventions and specialist support for young people affected by county lines exploitation and serious youth violence.
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Stay in touch
Sign up to receive our monthly email updates where you can find out all the latest news and events going on at St Giles.
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