Launched in May 2021, the Greater Manchester Navigator Project works with young people aged 10-25, to help them to cope and recover from their experience of violence and assist with access to local support networks to prevent the potential of further violence.
Young people brought to A&E due to violent attack or self harm are paired with an Oasis youth worker who works with them to create a local support network and end the cycle of violence.
Initially rolled out in four hospitals across Greater Manchester (Royal Bolton Hospital, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary and Manchester Royal Children’s Hospital), in the five months since launch, the team of Oasis Navigators received over 125 referrals (May – September 2021).
Due to the success of the project, scope has been expanded to include referrals from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and community referrals.
In some instances, NWAS may interact with a young person who doesn’t require or doesn’t want hospital treatment but may need support. The expansion of the referral process means that where necessary, the young person can still be referred to the team of Navigators.
Similarly, young people can also be referred to the service by their local community, this could be through a community group or service, a youth worker, teacher, or friend. Young people can also self-refer.
Commissioned by Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit, the Navigator project is completely independent and confidential.
“The Navigator project has already provided support to over 125 young people in Greater Manchester.”
Young people are entitled to receive support regardless of whether they report an incident to the Police or not, no personal information is shared with the Police unless a young person agrees to that.
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes said: “The Greater Manchester Navigator project has already provided support to over 125 young people in Greater Manchester. Our team of Navigators have a huge amount of expertise in supporting and mentoring young people who have been victims of violence and making a difference to the outcomes for these individuals.
“The Navigator project is another example of how we are committed to reducing violence across the city-region.
“The expansion of referrals to NWAS, communities and individuals, will help change the lives of even more young people through this early support.”
The project is delivered by Oasis UK, Oasis have a wealth of experience in delivering violence reduction programmes across the country.
To find out more about the Navigator project, visit: Navigator Project – Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (gmvru.co.uk).
The GM Navigator project is part of a series of initiatives being delivered by the VRU – to find out more about the unit visit: Homepage – Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (gmvru.co.uk).