8 | Acquisition International, Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2024 Most Empowering Children & Youth Intervention Charity 2024 – London The mission at Act for Change isn’t simply helping families and children with trauma. It’s about demonstrating deep empathy and interest in an individual’s circumstance, and understanding struggle within its context. The team knows that trauma is a systemic issue which ripples through families and communities, and that a systemic issue needs a systemic solution - and plenty of empathy. Which is why the AFC expertise is rooted in multi-agency collaboration. Contact: Lea Misan, Founder & CEO Company: Act for Change Web Address: www.actforchange.org.uk Communities are often wary of social services, especially those geared towards improving mental health, and there are many good reasons for that. There is a pervasive feeling among at-risk children and their families that they won’t be truly understood, or that their circumstances won’t be properly considered. Many organisations may act in a way that isn’t Trauma-informed, for instance, labelling young people as “offenders” or “troublesome,” ultimately showing a lack of knowledge about how affecting these labels are. Act for Change looks beyond one individual when trying to heal trauma. Through improving the environments and relationship qualities, we can drive preventative measures and reduce the need for crisis intervention. Crucially, when crisis intervention is necessary, AFC strives to intervene at the right time, with the right voice and the right approach for each individual case. The principle at the heart of this work is that Every. Child. Matters. The organisation provides crisis intervention across London boroughs, along with counselling, mentoring, intervention training, and extended programmes. These services are provided around people’s lives and routines, so it all takes place in convenient locations with minimal day-to-day disruption. In particular, Act For Change takes pride in enhancing the lives of those in minority groups, who traditionally show suspicion towards these services. The goal is to break down barriers by showing a unique understanding to match unique circumstances. Structural discrimination harms the intervention process, so the team accepts every individual within their developmental, cultural, and societal context. Racism, poverty, and non-binary gender bias are all determinants of violence. When we leave these out when we look at why violence happens, and why some people are being excluded, we notice that isolation is further amplified when experiences are not heard or acknowledged. Understanding context also means working in a way that’s trauma informed. During intervention stages, Act for Change is interested in the root causes of concerning behaviour. When organisations such as the police, schools, or social services label children as problematic, without adapting to their trauma and individual experiences, the effects are far-reaching. These children are more likely to re-offend and experience further trauma, and it fosters distrust between authorities and the families they try to help. The AFC approach emphasises changing the system within which young people develop. It aims to hear voices of all kinds and intervene at every crucial point, be it parents, teachers, community, and even within the justice system. This means that change is effected in the right places through targeted interventions, creating a support network which shares the responsibility, restores trust, and stewards young people through challenging times. We believe in upskilling and equipping local communities to continue the work, achieve sustainable change and a better future where young people they can thrive, not just survive. The organisation is formed of those who care, seeking those with empathy, approachability, and charisma. It sees those who embody the trauma-informed approach as the perfect ambassadors for its mission. As a small, rapidly expanding team, it relies on dynamic individuals who share the organisation’s goals and are motivated to positively impact young people, families, and the systems they inhabit. Though recruitment is a current challenge for the organisation, it’s taking this in its stride, and is preparing to broaden its scope. This means constant improvements to its CRM system and overall infrastructure while maintaining a nimble, adaptable offering to meet community challenges as and where they present. Fundraising plays a crucial role in this, be it through the launch of its founder’s book – The Tribe Within – the sponsored Run for Change events, or Arts for Change workshops. Act for Change is committed to bettering the environments, systems, and communities that children grow up in. The team is passionate about nurturing the development of young people in safe environments, free from adversity and is all about providing a service tailored to their unique contexts and needs. London youth interventions are evolving thanks to the organisation’s vision for a better future and true, across-theboard empathy for youth-at-risk. Act for Change act forchange “ “ ” ”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQyNzgzNA==