WAY Beacons charity working with Trust to support vulnerable young people

To support these patients, staff in the Emergency Department work closely with colleagues from Swindon Borough Council and WAY Beacons, which is a charitable project aimed at breaking the cycle of repeat attendances from young people impacted by crime, substance misuse and other risk-taking behaviours.

Between March 2023 and April 2024, 79 per cent of young people supported by WAY Beacons have not reattended hospital, and 100 per cent who were involved in crime have not reoffended.

This is thanks to WAY Mentors, volunteers across the community who spend time with young people following a hospital stay to act as a listening ear, help to build strong relationships or support the individual with new hobbies such as sport.

Callum, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, attended the Emergency Department with suicidal feelings and, following support from a WAY Beacon in and out of the hospital, was matched to a volunteer WAY Mentor who worked with Callum to understand more about some of the challenges he faced, including involvement with the police, mental health difficulties and poor engagement in school.

Callum now meets his mentor on a weekly basis. The pair play sport and enjoy milkshakes in Callum’s favourite café. Since their mentorship started, Callum’s school have reported a reduction in behavioural incidents, the Youth Justice Service have reported that he hasn’t reoffended and Callum has not visited hospital again.

WAY Beacons, alongside the dedicated group of local volunteer WAY Mentors provide truly inspirational work to support vulnerable young people living in Swindon.