We're keeping more young people safe | Our news

Since 2015 St Giles have helped over 800 young people cared for at Barts Health to recover from physical and emotional wounds caused by violent injuries.

The team have reached out to cautious young people who struggle to trust professionals, and have helped them to engage with services that can give them a new sense of purpose. They have mentored people to give them back a sense of self-worth, helping them to realise that they always had place in the world even if they didn't realise it.

As many as 25% of young people will return to Barts Health with further violent injuries, after already sustaining a knife or gunshot wound. Since the establishment of St Giles at The Royal London Hospital, young people who work with the charity reduce their risk of re attendance to just 7% over a five-year period. The collaborative working between our organisations means we are we keeping more young people in east London safe.

Michael Carver, clinical lead for hospital-based violence reduction said:

“ I have had the pleasure of working with the St Giles team since they first started working at The Royal London Hospital. The first thing I noticed was how differently they interacted with young people to clinical staff. The case workers saw things that we didn't and could not, and how it changed the relationship we had with this cohort of very vulnerable, traumatised patients.

“While we were experts in mending physical trauma - bleeding wounds, broken bones, failing organs; St Giles arrived and began to heal a very different trauma - emotional trauma, psychological scars and social injustice.”

The success of the charities work at The Royal London Hospital is now being replicated at Whipps Cross and Newham hospitals, with caseworkers now helping young people who present at our sister hospitals.

Thank you to our clinical staff

We acould not have changed this many lives were with out our hospital staff who continue to advocate for the safety of their patients; those who recognise a young person in need, who reach out and pick up the phone and speak to a St Giles caseworker.

This level of concern and holistic care is a lifesaving intervention. For a young person at risk of violence and exploitation, this is the equivalent of a referral to a chest pain clinic for patients at risk of a heart attack. By taking an interest in young people, ensuring their safety and speaking to a St Giles caseworker, you will save a life without even knowing it.

'A society grows great when older people plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.'