CHEXS is an award-winning youth support charity working in and around Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, which includes some of England’s 10% most deprived areas for children to grow-up. We work with school-age children (aged 8-16) referred to us by local partner primary and secondary schools. Schools refer young people to us if there are challenges preventing them from achieving their potential. There are four main aspects to our work: 1. We provide referred young people with a 30-week structured programme of outdoor learning called Growth, which includes creative work, group exercises and working together to deliver a community project. Attendees also receive regular 1-2-1 mentoring from a Youth Worker. Some young people attend during school time . We also run programmes after school and in the holidays, funded via grants. The Growth programme builds self-esteem, mental wellbeing and resilience, by helping young people achieve success outside the traditional classroom environment. Last year, 366 young people attended our Growth programme. 2. Our My Life programme works with young people engaging in risky behaviours (typically drugs, alcohol, and sex) to help them make positive choices. Last year, 40 young people attended My Life. 3. Very often, the challenges young people face stem from difficulties at home. Where possible, we work with parents to resolve parental financial and mental health problems which may be impacting their children. Last year, we helped 97 families address such challenges and improve parenting skills. 4. We support young people, parents and volunteers to work alongside each other to deliver positive projects which build supportive relationships and enhance our community. We’re proud to have won the 2021 Children & Young People Now Charity Award
