YOUNG people in Basildon are set to get more help and support thanks to a grant to MYOTAS (My Own Time and Space) from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit's (VVU) Community Grant Programme.

MYOTAS has been awarded £16,990 funding from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit to support its Woodland Warriors Programme. Woodland Warriors is a twice weekly outdoor programme held in Memorial Park, Wickford designed to support neurodivergent children and young people.

Sessions are led by a qualified Forest School leader and are calm, inclusive, child led and pressure free. There are opportunities to use sensory equipment and activities include crafting, campfire cooking, tree climbing, wood work and problem solving while also exploring essential life skills such as self-defence, online safety, self-advocacy and recognising dangerous and risky behaviours.

The grant awarded to MYOTAS is one of 27 grants – together totalling £463,524 – awarded to local, not-for-profit groups in Essex, that focus on reducing crime and promoting positive development for young people through providing safe spaces and targeted activities.

Roger Hirst MBE, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership congratulated all the charities who have been awarded funding: "Local organisations at the heart of Essex communities understand the unique needs of the communities they work with; they understand what tools and resources young people need to stay safe. The community grant recognises this and allows local groups to deliver fantastic, tailored work delivering positive change and tangible results.

"This funding will make a real impact not only to the lives of the young people benefitting, but also in contributing to making Essex a safer place to live and grow up in."

Paula Farrow from MyOTAS said; 'We know the significant impact that attending Woodland Warriors sessions has for the young people who take part. The sessions help to reduce social isolation, support emotional wellbeing, and give young people the chance to engage in activities they genuinely enjoy, while building friendships in a safe and supportive outdoor environment. We are incredibly grateful to the Violence and Vulnerability Unit for funding Woodland Warriors for another year and helping to make this much-needed provision sustainable for the families we support."

This round of the Violence and Vulnerability Community Grant Programme is for project delivery between April 2026 and March 2027. Projects have been funded in every district and borough of the county.

Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit works across Essex to prevent serious violence. It focuses on a public health approach, through local provision evidenced as working.