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Organisation: Catch22 - Wolverhampton Violence Reduction Team

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Catch22 - Wolverhampton Violence Reduction Team

The WVRT takes an end to end approach, supporting young people and their families through all key risk points, to prevent gang involvement and support those looking to exit. We believe that continual programme development is the best approach, the parallel development of interventions and one-to-one work each supporting the other. We educate and inform young people of the dangers and consequences of becoming involved with gang activity, as well as re-engaging them with positive influences in their life.

Catch22 WVRT addresses the multiple and complex issues that can lead to gang involvement. The team offers a responsive and needs-led service, focusing not on the behaviour but its cause. We use an ‘end to end’ approach whereby young people and their families are supported through all the key points of risk in their lives, including points at which they are ready to make changes.

Pathways Covered

Attitudes, thinking and behaviour

Overview

What we do

  • The Dawes Unit deliver a unique and carefully designed combination of services with a focus on: 

    • Talking to gang members and supporting them away from or in their environment.
    • Helping young people acknowledge the potential consequences of their actions.
    • Introduce local interventions which lead to education, employment and training.
    • Understand the impact of crimes on the victims.
    • Gain a greater understanding of the myths that surround gang culture.
    • Learning why gang members stay in, or return to gang life.
    • Learning how to control anger and deal with gang conflict.
    • Be better equipped to leave gang life.

  • All Dawes interventions: 

    • Build on young people’s strengths to prevent them becoming involved in gangs
    • Support young people to exit gangs.
    • Take a relationship-based approach
    • Take account of the risks and needs of each service user and build on their strengths.
    • Take a multi-agency approach
    • Are informed by evidence.
    • Effectively reduce the harms caused by gangs.

  • Awareness: 

    As well as one to one support we run gang awareness programs with several inner-city schools and partner agencies. We aim to inform all professionals on how to recognise the warning signs of gang involvement and to create an environment where young people can be open to explore and discuss sensitive issues relating to gang culture and how it might affect them. We seek to empower other professionals to help young people make positive choices for safer, brighter future and to move away from risky activity.

Where we do it

Wolverhampton

How to access

Referral options for this service

  • You can refer yourself
  • You can refer family members or a friend
  • You can refer a client

Requests for a referral form to refer a young person or adult to the Dawes Unit can be made by contacting Debi Thomas at debra.thomas@catch-22.org.uk or by phoning:01902 572393

Referrals and self-referrals are also accepted from agencies, families and individuals.