News

The JJ Effect returns to Wilderness

We recently welcomed Byron Highton from The JJ Effect back to AWW to deliver his renowned anti-knife crime presentation.

The JJ Effect is a BBC award-winning presentation which delivers a powerful and hard-hitting message about the dangers of knife crime on our streets and its effect on young people and their families and communities.

The JJ Effect was established by Byron following the murder of someone very close to him in 2014. Byron draws on his experience to educate young people, and those who support them, about the dangers of knife crime, county lines, grooming and criminal exploitation.

Byron’s compelling presentation uses real life descriptions, video and stories to drive the message home. It has been delivered to over 150,000 young people and professionals across schools, children’s services, emergency services and prisons.

We were delighted that Byron was able once again to share his experience with us at AWW. Many of the children we support have been victims of sexual and criminal exploitation and gangs, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our understanding of the context and impact of this is sector leading.

Some of the young people we care for also attended a session with Byron which they found incredibly impactful. As this was delivered in an accessible and relatable way, it really helped them to understand just how devastating knife crime is for all those involved, and how to keep themselves safe.

We would like to thank The JJ Effect for such powerful and thought-provoking sessions, which have certainly had a big impact on our teams and our children.

If you would like to join our fabulous team we would love to hear from you.  Please find our current vacancies here.

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What Others Say About Us

I am truly taken aback by the level of care you have shown. The staff have gone out of their way to show him the attention and care that he has never had. When I visited him, it was like I was looking at a different child to what he was before he came. He was not like a child in care, he was like a child in a family. You have literally saved his life.

Social Worker

All children and young people thrive, and they make progress while living at the home. Because of the services provided the children and young people experience an individualised, stable and consistent home life. Children and young people benefit from the integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to education and care. They each achieve their full potential and, in many cases, do so beyond previous expectations.

Ofsted

I am so grateful to the AWW team for their dedication and commitment to caring and supporting Sam. He recently reported that being at there gave him the space to think and the opportunity to reflect on his attitude and make plans for his future.

Social Worker

I have to share my delight at Luke’s progress at AWW. Thanks to your support, in the last 17 weeks Luke and has turned his life around significantly. From where he has come from to where he is now, I am so proud of him.

Social Worker

The placement was really good and beneficial to me. The staff were all really supportive and nice and always made themselves available to me if I had any problems. The outdoor activities that were offered helped me to have a better outlook and showed me that I can do so much more in life, and it really helped me process and made me feel like a better person.

Child

As METCO Officer for Cumbria Police I have regular contact with the team at AWW in relation to vulnerable children at risk of CSE and going missing. If a specific incident has occurred, the Home Manager and I speak on the phone to discuss the best way forward. She also attends CSE risk assessment meetings and we receive Philomena Protocol forms when a young person arrives in placement.

Cumbria Police