by Jacqui Wilkinson, Community Action Suffolk
Shez Hopkins, the Project Manager at Level Two, shared her insights into the evolving landscape of youth services and how they embed safeguarding and quality in their work in Felixstowe.
Level Two, a youth project in its 23rd year, has grown and adapted to meet the changing needs of young people in Felixstowe. The accessibility of drugs and the rise in knife crime among children are new challenges. Post-COVID, the mental health needs of young people have become more complex; exacerbated by diminishing statutory services and long waiting lists. Despite the clear need for services, securing funding remains difficult.
Shez and the Level Two team, are deeply rooted in the Felixstowe community, and understand local issues intimately. The project serves 815 children annually, addressing emerging needs such as antisocial behaviour, isolation and challenges home schooling can have. Music workshops have proven effective in engaging young people, revealing the power of creative outlets.
With fourteen years of experience at Level Two, and all the changes they are seeing for children and young people Shez highlighted the importance of the approachability and consistency in Community Action Suffolk’s safeguarding support and their role, emphasizing the value of professional curiosity and questioning to maintain high standards in keeping children safe.
“I can think of several occasions that I have no issue at all just picking up the phone or sending you an e-mail knowing that that is not going to be judged. I am going to be heard and listened to and you will come back with the answer for me even if it is just ‘no’ or ‘definitely you need to go do this’.
Your approachability and consistency around safeguarding are invaluable. You’ve been doing this for so long, you know your stuff. Systems and organisations evolve, but your professional curiosity keeps us sharp. I can always reach out without fear of judgment, knowing you’ll listen and provide answers. Losing your voice of reason would be a massive loss.”
Shez explained that Felixstowe lacks post-16 educational provision, forcing students to travel long distances for skills-based education. The distance and lack of transport options can mean that school/ college can become a twelve-hour day, and this is particularly challenging for those with mental health issues or financial constraints. The impending automation of the Felixstowe port, the town’s largest employer, poses significant future challenges, necessitating retraining for young people.
Looking ahead, Level Two aims to create a community hub on Beach Street, offering mentoring, safe spaces, and a multimedia arts centre. The project has strong community support, though planning issues poses problems, none of which Shez sees as unresolvable. It would provide a safe space for young people, addressing the lack of evening activities and the vulnerability of those out late at night. It would also be available for other groups to use at other times. It would be a community asset.
“Young people just want a safe space to hang out; that’s what they tell us. Where the expectation of them is they will be respectful, but they can be themselves. Somewhere with adults around that they can talk to. Who will listen to them and not talk at them, a safe space. But it’s not just a safe space it’s a brave space we’re creating because that is what it is when people are sharing with us. It is a safe, brave space”.
Safeguarding is important to Level Two. Shez emphasized the transformative impact of Community Action Suffolk’s safeguarding training, which consistently brings new insights and improvements to their practices. The training sessions often lead to “light bulb moments” prompting changes and enhancements discussed and actioned at team meetings.
“I’m sure like every organisation that does it, we found that the CAS Quality Standard highlighted areas for improvement. Our passion for making a difference keeps us busy, but as an independent organisation without external oversight, CAS’s input was incredibly valuable. The Quality Standard support gave us insights, oversight and challenge as well as reassurance of what we are doing well. What we’ve ended up with is a really robust system, and I use the QS checklist twice a year when we are looking at our governance. It reminds me to ask myself good questions around safeguarding, funding and governance as well.
Because CAS is so well connected across all sectors it encourages me not to work in isolation, to have that whole community approach. Every young person that comes through our doors is attached to a family that is part of our community and to encourage our children to be community minded”
During COVID, safeguarding support played a crucial role. Level Two adapted its methods to maintain engagement and support, delivering school meals and work packs to families, and conducting activities via WhatsApp. These efforts helped identify safeguarding needs, such as food being left on doorsteps for days, indicating potential issues within households.
The importance of strong relationships with funders was highlighted, ensuring flexibility to address emerging needs. Regular communication with funders, sharing good news stories, and maintaining transparency are vital for continued support.
Shez underscores the dynamic and vital nature of youth services in Felixstowe, highlighting the importance of adaptability, community engagement, safeguarding, quality systems and creative solutions to meet the evolving needs of young people. Safeguarding support remains integral to LevelTwo’s mission, ensuring the safety and well-being of the local young people. Despite the challenges and changes, LevelTwo continues to be a vital, reliable resource, advocating for the well-being and development of the local children and young people of Felixstowe.
For further reading, click on the following links if you would like to more about:
LevelTwo Youth Project
Safeguarding support from Community Action Suffolk
Safeguarding training from Community Action Suffolk. If you would like us to deliver bespoke safeguarding training for you contact [email protected]
Community Action Suffolk Quality Standard visit our website or contact Jacqui Wilkinson at CAS for a conversation [email protected] or call 01473 345312
Funding4Suffolk portal, it is a free tool that allows you to search for funding across Suffolk and the UK bought to you in partnership with Community Action Suffolk
