A project to set up a youth hub at a community centre will benefit from a £14,000 grant.
The funding, awarded by the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) through its Community Grant Programme, will support the work of Youth Unity CIC in Epping Forest.
The grant is one of 27 awarded across the county, totalling £463,524, and is aimed at reducing crime and promoting positive youth development.
Roger Hirst MBE, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership, said: "Local organisations at the heart of Essex communities understand the unique needs of the communities they work with; they understand what tools and resources young people need to stay safe.
"The community grant recognises this and allows local groups to deliver fantastic, tailored work delivering positive change and tangible results. This funding will make a real impact not only to the lives of the young people benefitting, but also in contributing to making Essex a safer place to live and grow up in."
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Youth Unity will use the funding to establish a dedicated youth hub at the Limes Farm Community Centre, offering after-school and Friday evening activities for children aged eight to 11. The grant will also support targeted outreach through Youth Unity’s Mobile Intervention Service.
James Hensman, CEO of Youth Unity CIC, said: "As the director of Youth Unity CIC, I am incredibly grateful for the support from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit.
"This grant will help to continue the creation of a safe and engaging place for young people at the Limes Farm Community Centre. Together, we aim to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, feel safe, and make positive life choices."
The youth hub will provide a safe and structured space for children to engage in positive and fun activities after school and on Friday evenings. The VVU takes a public health approach to preventing serious violence across Essex by funding local interventions evidenced as working.
This round of the Community Grant Programme supports projects being delivered between April 2026 and March 2027.
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