| Connexions Solihull |
Connexions Solihull
Geographical Area: Based in North Solihull although will see all young people in Solihull.
Age Range Min: 13
Age Range Max: 19
Gender Specific: no
| Culturally Specific: no
Method of Access: There is specific targeting of vulnerable young people through the detached work but the drop-ins at the Den are open to all.
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| Description |
Solihull is part of Connexions Birmingham and Solihull. It has one Connexions PA/Youth worker working with problematic drug users offering awareness and harm reduction advice and support.
Based in 'The Den', a Connexions information access point situated in the bottom flat of a block, young people are able to drop-in and access advice and support on a wide variety of topics from help with writing CVs, looking for training / job opportunities, housing issues & completing Benefit forms.
Drug awareness & harm reduction sessions are also provided to schools, training providers and Colleges. Detached work for the Youth Service is undertaken twice a week to meet young people to engage with them, offer advice and support and encourage them to take up leisure activities as an alternative to hanging around on the streets.
A variety of projects are run for young people, a nearby music studio is used for media based projects and fishing trips to Shirley and further afield regularly take place. There is currently a project up and running with a small group of women with sexual abuse backgrounds.
The service does not offer a counselling service but will refer young people on to Cascades or The NSPCC. For more specific treatment, young people are referred on to The Bridge or Welcome.
The Connexions worker currently employed has a youth service background, the service is offered to young people from an informal setting and this is seen as important in making the service more accessible to young people. |
| Objectives |
| The aim of the service is to reach young people that for whatever reason have slipped through the net and engage them in various activities. |
| Staff Profile |
| 1 drugs worker within a team of Connexions PA's and Youth Workers. |
| Linked Organisations |
| The service has links with Positive Futures for diversionary activities as well as access to the full range of help and support through Connexions, the Youth service and local treatment services. |
