Mayor announces investment for series of summer activities

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has invested £2 million in a package of activities and targeted interventions this summer to divert thousands of young people away from violence by providing access to positive opportunities.

The Mayor is committed to tackling violence and has provided investment for his VRU to fund hundreds of activities and opportunities in training and employment for young people in greatest need of support. The package of activities, ranging from sport to music production to mentoring, will work to support young people during the summer when evidence shows they are more vulnerable to exploitation and to violence.

The VRU, set up and funded by the Mayor to lead an approach to tackling violence that is rooted in prevention and early intervention, has funded grassroots organisations, charities and local authorities, to provide access to support and positive things to do for young people in areas of the capital most affected by violence. 

This includes, for the first time, funding a small number of Pupil Referral Units and Alternative Provision settings so they can continue providing ongoing support during the summer holidays, which includes boxing and BMX coaching, trips outside their community and opportunities to develop skills in carpentry and hair and beauty.

Summer Innovation Fund – funding has been boosted to support twice the number of grassroots, community–led groups to test new approaches and ideas to support vulnerable Londoners.

There are 16 projects being funded and delivering throughout the summer holidays. These interventions and activities will support more than 3,200 young people. Projects include music production, business creation and support, cricket, basketball, table tennis, badminton, football, cycling training, dance, digital storytelling, roller-skating, boxing, and mentoring.

Sport – Investing holiday sports provision through 20 grassroots organisations. Programmes will run through the week and at weekends for young people in areas typically underserved by sport, with funding helping remove barriers such as support for the cost of travel and providing access to food.

Stronger Futures – The VRU’s after-school programme is supporting the delivery of tailored ongoing support for 3,000 young Londoners aged 8-18 during the summer months. This includes through mentoring, creative activities, family support, positive diversionary activities, entrepreneurship, and leadership training across London.

“Tackling violence is my top priority and I’m committed to building a safer London for everyone by being tough on violence and tough on its complex causes,” the mayor said. “That means putting the next generation of Londoners front and centre and working to provide the investment, support and helping hand for young people who need it the most. My Violence Reduction Unit is investing in activities this summer to prevent young people becoming vulnerable to exploitation and to violence. I want young people to experience the unrivalled opportunities this city provides and to be safe, to develop and to thrive.”