RELEASE: Emergency Department Youth Workers initiative launched

A new initiative which provides expert support for young people at emergency departments in Bournemouth and Poole hospitals has been launched as part of work to tackle youth violence.

Thanks to funding from Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner and University Hospital Dorset Charity (UHD), this pilot will support young people aged between 11 and 25 who come to emergency departments at UHD or are admitted to hospital as victims of crime, or having been involved in violence.

This project is being run by No Limits, an organisation which offers specialised emotional support, crisis intervention and access to ongoing services for young people in need of help. Similar projects are in place in other areas across the country and it is hoped the initiative will help to significantly reduce the likelihood of future re-admissions to hospital from this age group, ensuring young people are safer.

Emergency Department Navigator roles have been shown to reduce serious violence among young people, with attendance at emergency departments regarded as a ‘reachable teachable’ moment. When young people are offered the right support and guidance this can be highly impactive in diverting them from a path that increases the risk of serious violence.

Both youth workers will be on hand to support victims of crime or those involved in violence as well as available to talk through a range of issues including drug and alcohol education, homelessness, self-harm and emotional resilience, sexual health, and money and budgeting.

David Sidwick, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Early intervention is key when it comes to tackling issues which cause or may lead to youth violence.

“Through the work of my Office’s Violence Reduction and Prevention Team, we know vulnerability is a driver of youth violence, and that’s why I am very pleased to be funding this pilot with UHD and No Limits, and in funding partnership with UHD Charity.

“An initiative like this which provides expert professional support to vulnerable young people really shows the power of partnership, and I look forward to seeing how this progresses, and importantly helps young people in Dorset.”

Debbie Anderson, Charity Director at UHD, said: “It’s great to be able to support such innovative work to support young people across our communities; we will be fundraising to continue this service which is a great example of the Charity going above and beyond what the NHS can fund.”

Dr Juliet Browning, Consultant in Adult and Paediatric Emergency Medicine, said: “It can be scary coming into hospital. Having the youth workers here means young people have someone to talk to and offload to, so when they leave they have a bigger network of support in place.

“We’re very grateful to our UHD Charity and the Office of the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner for supporting these roles – this could be transformative for the young people we see.”