MP visits Rainbow Services Youth Project

A Harlow youth project funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Violence and Vulnerability Unit received a visit by Robert Halfon MP to see how they have been transforming lives with their Youth Project.

The Rainbow Services Youth Project is run for 14 to 18 year olds who have disengaged from education, sometimes as a result of them getting involved with gangs and antisocial behaviour. The project aims to reengage these young people with positive role models and education through a twelve week carpentry course run at it’s own workshop in Harlow.

Following this, the young people go on to a variety of other courses and activities including Fire Break at Harlow Fire Station, Police Cadets, work experience and apprenticeships.

MP Robert Halfon was able to talk to the young people in the workshop, along with other supporters and funders of the Youth Project, such as representatives from HTS and Harlow Police to see the positive impact of the course, not just on the participants, but also the wider community.

Sharon Summerfield CEO for Rainbow Services said: “We are so proud of our project and the young people we work with. Our team of staff and volunteers are amazing, and over the years have changed the lives of so many young people, showing them that there are alternative, positive ways of living, earning money, and belonging to a community.”

Rainbow Services have been established in Harlow as a charity for nearly 25 years. In addition to their youth project, they have a range of projects including supporting the voluntary sector, preventing loneliness in Harlow Seniors, providing the Community Hub for people in crisis, working with the NHS to tackle health inequalities and a family contact centre supporting visits from non-resident parents so that they can maintain contact with their children.

If you would like to volunteer for Rainbow Services in one of their many projects, please contact [email protected] or call 01279 210404.

June 2023