A NEW project aiming to ensure young people stay safe when they travel to and from evening events has been launched.

The Youth Safe Passage project will see volunteers accompany youngsters on their journeys, in response to concerns raised by parents.

The Hoe Street-based scheme was set by Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, with the help of police, charity Worth Unlimited and McDonald’s.

The project is now looking for volunteers to help out during the summer holidays.

Councillor Ebony Vincent, who is running the project, said: "We will be working with a group of young people in Walthamstow so that they can access activities in their area in the early evenings.

“The volunteers will go with them to different events and drop them off and pick them up from youth clubs to make sure they get home safely. They will be like a mobile walking bus.

"There will also be projects we will be setting up for them later in the year, like a DJ session with a local DJ.

"This is the first time we have done something like this. If the pilot goes well we will look at it in the future.

"Over the past few months I have been meeting with the local ward councillors about the lack of a community centres where the youths live.

“We had concerns from parents and local councillors about children getting to and from events. There is no community centre for the youths where they are living, so it is not easy for them to get to."

Volunteers will be asked to commit to a minimum of four evenings per week during the summer holiday period. All volunteers will be given training and support.

The project will initially be running on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The project is aimed at helping youngsters aged 11 to 16-years-old.

If you are interested in learning more about the project or volunteering contact Ebony Vincent on 020 8520 6586 or email ebony@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk.

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