Level Two Youth Project, Felixstowe

Over the past 12 months Beacon Commodities have supported a number of local charities through their Suffolk Community Foundation Grant.

The Level Two Youth Project

The Level Two Youth Project (LTYP) promotes the welfare of young people aged 7-25 in Felixstowe. The young people they work with suffer from neglect, abuse, poverty or mental health and wellbeing challenges. As Suffolk County Council continue to cut funding of the youth project, issues for the young in an area like Felixstowe will continue to rise. Many of the children the LTYP support are severely affected by broken households and involvement in county lines.

A safe space for vulnerable youngsters

County lines are drug networks engineered by gangs and organised criminal networks that export illegal substances from larger cities to suburban areas. The “lines” are both the dedicated mobile phone lines and the physical geographical and transport routes that connect dealers and users. Gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to transport and store the drugs, often using coercion and intimidation tactics as well as violence and sexual abuse to keep them in line.

The LTYP provide essential counselling and safe space for vulnerable youngsters. Beacon’s grant will go towards providing vital funds for additional counselling sessions. Whilst there, Tommy heard of a shocking story told by the LTYP of suicidal 7-year-old who had the whole unthinkable event planned. Truly shocking to hear when you have children of your own.

Room 4:

Another local charity, Tommy went to visit in May was Room 4 based in Haverhill. This Suffolk town is suffering dreadfully from the county lines drugs trade which has huge knock-on effects on the young. Room 4 are trying to get to these vulnerable children before the ‘gangs’ can.

Room 4 was set up to provide a safe place offering therapeutic interventions to young people, who have endured ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and trauma. Room 4 provides therapeutic interventions with a focus on recovery from trauma to the young people of Haverhill and the surrounding areas; bringing hope and future possibilities to those who have experienced adversity.

The lucky ones are selected by the local school in Debenham and the sheer joy of seeing the young playing pool, table tennis, football whilst a large freshly cooked dinner of chicken chow mein was prepared is as wholesome sight as you could wish to see. This amazing work is funded fully by grants and local volunteers who selflessly give up their time for others.