Vision
A society where all young people live healthy, safe and happy lives.
Mission
To empower young people to thrive as they navigate the challenging transition to adulthood by integrating trauma-informed youth work into the health sector.
Values
Redthread youth workers walk with young people who have experienced trauma and stand alongside them
We treat young people with kindness and understanding
As a trauma-informed organisation, we are aware of the impact of the work on our staff team; we encourage self-care and we support our team to be healthy and well
Our staff team work together, we share skills and areas of expertise across programmes
We work alongside clinical colleagues in A&E and GP surgeries to provide a better environment for young people in the health sector
We work with partners across the voluntary and statutory sectors to engage young people with the services they need
The young people we work with show courage to make positive changes in their lives
Our team have a ‘can-do’ attitude; we find solutions and makes things possible. We go beyond our comfort zone to get young people the help they need
We continue to innovate and be creative in the sphere of young people’s health
As an organisation we are continually learning, being reflective, responding to the need in front of us
We strive for positive change in the systems and services that affect young people
We make the most of new opportunities and strong partnerships
Redthread equip young people to navigate the transition to adulthood
We recognise that young people need to make changes and choose wisely; we support and help them
We enable our team to do their jobs well, to take initiative, to contribute to making our work better
About Us
Redthread is a multi award-winning charity with over 20 years experience of delivering pioneering youth work in hospitals and other health settings. We work across 13 hospitals in London, Nottinghamshire and Birmingham with 11-25 year olds who are affected by grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, violence, emotional and physical harm, mental health issues, domestic violence and modern slavery. We also support children and young people in the online space to reduce the impacts of violence, and with those experiencing a range of health conditions, who are vulnerable and in need.
Our model is pioneering, and we train NHS staff so they are able to identify and better support children and young people affected by violence in health settings. We amplify the voices of children and young people and use our evidence and insights from working with them to adapt and innovate our work, support service improvement, and influence regional and national government.
Our History
Redthread started in 1995 as a group set up by parishioners from a number of local churches in Dulwich. These individuals felt that local children and young people could be more involved in the local community, if given the facilities and activities to be so. We are no longer formally linked with the churches but Redthread still maintains a belief in the value of each and every human being, together with a recognition of the fundamental importance of building a community where people take responsibility for each other.
One of our first projects was the Redthread Youth Club, based at the Sea Scout Hut in Green Dales. The club formed a central part of the local community and saw over a hundred young people a week gather to take part in a range of games and activities and to socialise with friends.
It was in 2002 that Redthread ventured into the world of health for the first time, by running the country’s first ever Young People’s Clinic in partnership with Paxton Green Group Practice. The after school Tuesday drop-in gave all 13-19-year-olds, whether registered or not, access to a doctor, nurse, counsellor or youth worker. After this success, the model was replicated at Herne Hill Group Practice in 2005.
Our Funders
Redthread are funded by a number of charities, organisations and public bodies. Without their generous support, the work we do with young people simply wouldn’t be possible. The funders displayed below is not an exhaustive list of those who support our work.
If you would like to know more about how we can work together, please get in touch.
