The Empowering Healthy Communities Programme delivers a comprehensive series of age-appropriate, trauma-informed workshops tackling the issues that matter most to young people today, including youth violence, exploitation, gangs, healthy relationships, consent, emotional resilience, mental wellbeing, online safety, digital awareness, confidence, aspirations, leadership and critical decision-making
Fully funded by Lambeth Council, the programme is available free of charge to every school in the borough.
During a visit to Hitherfield Primary School, which is currently delivering the programme, Councillor Mahamed Hashi, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities at Lambeth Council, said: “Preventing violence starts long before harm occurs, it begins with honest conversations, trusted adults and equipping young people with the confidence to make safe, informed choices.
Through this programme of workshops, we are investing in the resilience, leadership and potential of Lambeth’s young people. Every child deserves to feel safe, heard and empowered.
I strongly encourage all schools to take up this fully funded offer so that together, we can build safer communities and give our young people the tools they need to thrive and build the safe future they deserve.”
The programme supports:
- Years 5–6 in primary schools
- Years 7–8 in secondary schools
- All year groups in alternative provision and SEND settings
Winston Goode, Founder of Juvenis, who leads delivery of the funded workshops, said: “Violence prevention is not a reaction, it is a commitment. A commitment to listening early, building trust consistently, and creating spaces where young people can speak openly about what they are navigating.
Empowering Healthy Communities is about being presence, not just programmes. Juvenis show up in schools across Lambeth with care, credibility and cultural understanding. We support children and young people to strengthen their decision-making, deepen their self-awareness, and feel supported by adults who genuinely see them.
This is an opportunity for all schools to embed meaningful, preventative work into their communities. Working together with Lambeth Council we prioritise emotional wellbeing, belonging and positive identity, by laying the foundations for Healthy Minds, Safer Streets and Stronger Communities. “
With over 30 adaptable workshop topics across eight thematic areas, sessions are tailored to reflect the lived experiences, challenges and aspirations of each cohort.
Chris Ashley- Jones, Executive Headteacher at Hitherfield Primary School, added: “ We’re delighted to have been involved in the Empowering Healthy Communities programme as some of our year six cohort have very much benefited from this focused and targeted support. Helping them keep themselves and others safe as they transition onto secondary school.“
Schools wishing to offer the Empowering Healthy Communities Programme to their students alongside parents, carers, professionals and community groups can register their interest by emailing Juvenis directly at winston@juvenis.org.uk
The programme forms a central pillar of Lambeth Council’s response to the Home Office Serious Violence Duty, delivering a coordinated, multi-agency approach to prevention through early intervention and community engagement. It also aligns with the Lambeth Made Safer Strategy (2020–2030), the borough’s long-term public health framework to address the root causes of youth violence, strengthen partnerships, support schools and deliver trauma-informed interventions.
