Work in hospitals and custody suites
We work directly in hospitals and police custody suites to provide support for young people involved in or at risk of serious violence and criminal justice involvement. The is preventative work focussing on addressing underlying issues and helping young people access positive opportunities.
Work in hospitals
Admission to hospital as a result of violence is a sad fact of life for many young people today.
Our trauma-informed Caseworkers provide intensive support to help young people emotionally and practically both in hospital and once they are discharged. The aim of this work is to reduce future violence and ensure young people are not discharged to situations which expose them to future risks. This work has seen re-admission rates for weapons wounds reduce from 44% to 7%. We currently provide services in hospitals in London and the West Midlands funded through West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Work in custody suites
Arrest represents an opportunity to reach a young person and help them steer their life back on track.
Our Caseworkers make contact with young people who are in police custody and provide intensive support to divert them away from any future involvement with the criminal justice system. Typically, this involves helping young people access opportunities around education, employment and training and addressing any underlying issues around mental health, substance use and poverty.
Anton's story
When Sonya, our caseworker Royal London Hospital Trauma Caseworker, first met 23 year old Anton he had been the innocent victim of a drive by shooting which had left him blinded. Although he had not been the intended target, he was friends with the person who was and this meant he was unable to return to his home area.
A lifeline for young people at The Royal London Hospital
Antonia and Roisin – our two Royal London Hospital-based SOS Caseworkers – have been exceptionally busy over the past few months. They help young people who have been admitted to the hospital’s Major Trauma Centre as victims of serious youth violence.
New hospital work tackles violent crime in the Midlands
A new project helping young people admitted to two hospitals in Coventry and Wolverhampton will help address violent crime and enable perpetrators and victims to get the help they need to turn their backs on serious violence.
Little steps make all the difference.
There are short stories, then there’s life changing stories. Read our new Impact Series, short stories from real life impact.