A charity working alongside the NHS to support young people affected by violence and exploitation in
Redthread is a youth work charity operating in London, Nottingham and Birmingham. Our central vision is a society in which young people are healthy, safe and happy. We advocate for the wellbeing of young people and ensure that their needs are heard and understood. Our Youth Violence Intervention Programme (YVIP) is an innovative health programme that is the first of its kind in the UK. Redthread’s
YVIP embeds specialist youth workers in Major Trauma Centres and local A&Es, where they work with young people who have experienced violence and exploitation. Through trauma-informed practice, the teams encourage and support young people to make positive plans and healthy choices in order to disrupt cycles of violence that can lead to re-injury, re-attendance and devastated communities. Redthread also collaborates in KAOS (King’s Adolescent Outreach Service), a unique project to improve the care of adolescents in hospitals. The project was launched by King’s College Hospital doctors Simon Chapman and Hannah Baynes, in collaboration with Redthread and supported by the Children and Young People’s Health Partnership (CYPHP). The aim of the project is to identify and support adolescents aged 16-19 years who have been admitted to adult inpatient wards at King’s College Hospital. The impact of Redthread’s services has led to prestigious national awards and recognition and has seen us grow from a local community group to a sector leader in youth wellbeing. Our overarching focus is on empowering young people and helping them value their own potential. We encourage them to utilise their own personal resources and resilience to make healthier, more positive choices and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
