Breaking The Cycle and Youth Divert

Breaking the Cycle and Youth DIVERT are 12-week mentoring programmes aimed at young people from the ages of 10 – 18 who have high risks factors that may cause them to be vulnerable or at risk of criminal exploitation and criminal activity.

Below are some of the challenges that young people on the programme have been referred to us for:

• Those at risk of criminal exploitation including ‘County-Lines’
• Those who carry or are at risk of carrying a weapon
• Those who are hanging around the periphery of gangs
• Those who have been arrested for a first offence
• Those who have problems managing anger or known to get into confrontations
• Those at risk of exclusion from mainstream education or PRU
• Those with high levels of truancy

When referred to us, we work on a 1:1 basis with a young person and take a person-centred approach in tailoring topics of work to each individual.

We look at some of their challenging behaviours and offer advice and educate the young person through workshops and lived experiences.

We create a safe comfortable environment to listen to young people in a non-judgmental way and help to create positive strategies to deter them away from negatives behaviours.

Lastly, we look to refer young people to other Palace for Life departments or community organisations to get involved in diversionary activities through sport and other activities.

Where do the sessions take place?

Sessions are flexible to meet the needs of each individual. We can offer a detached Youth Work service to meet young people in the community or utilise our offices at the stadium or other community spaces across the boroughs (Croydon, Bromley and Sutton) in which we work in.