Our aim is for the young people we support to take ownership of their actions and be given space to reflect and discuss how to move forward positively. We work restoratively with young people to complete the work and support local communities, to give something back. Young people will learn employability, problem solving and practical skills, so they are more engaged in their communities and are able to make positive steps in their future.
The service has delivered a total of 646 hours and helped 40 young people complete their order between April 2021- March 2022.
Meet the team
James Willott – Catch22 Reparation Manager
James has been in post since June 2020. He has over 14 years’ experience of working with young people in a variety of sectors. James is passionate about working alongside young people to help them discover their skills and talents and how they can reach their potential. In his spare time, James likes to play football and run around in the park with his two children.
Ben Anderson – Catch22 Reparation Worker
Ben has been in post since December 2020 and joined the service with 5 years of experience working for numerous wellbeing projects across the South of England. One of Bens interests is using evidence-based developmental models, such as the DNA-v model, to help young people develop more flexibility, strength and meaning in their lives. Ben is also a student at the University of Bath and is studying a Masters of Research in Psychology.
Amelia Hunt – Sessional Worker
Amelia joined the team out of university with a passion for working with people. She has previously taught English abroad and is developing her skills with the team. In her spare time she enjoys comedy and the theatre.
“Because it had a personal impact on me, I don’t want to get another order. I want to work and move on with my life.”
– Young person
Feedback
We ask all the young people we support when they finish their order to complete a Catch22 exit survey:
- 100% of young people said that they would recommend Catch22.
- 100% of young people said that Catch22 cared about them and their wellbeing.
- 67% of young people said that they felt safer as a result of their contact with Catch22.
- 100% of young people said that they felt their physical health had improved as a result of their contact with Catch22.
- 100% of young people said that they felt that their mental health had improved as a result of their contact with Catch22.
- 100% of young people said that they felt more confident in their ability to make positive life choices as a result of their contact with Catch22.
- 67% of young people said that they felt more able to enjoy their life as a result of their contact with Catch22.
“Time has helped me reflect. Going through this process has shown me I don’t want to go through it again.”
– Young person
Challenges
We have seen that young people are presenting with increasingly complex needs and higher levels of risk relating to county lines, gangs, mental health, challenging behaviour and learning ability. As a result, the service has adjusted to consider who young people can work alongside, what work is suitable for them and the geographical location of work placements. We also consider young people’s medication requirements and their abilities to undertake work before/after having administered this.
To mitigate against these increased challenges the service works closely with YOT caseworkers to ensure that all of the above issues are considered when planning for and undertaking work with each young person, ensuring that they become key areas to address with the young person through individually tailored programmes.
“We hoped that Catch22 would support with the gardening, maintenance and any odd jobs that needed completing. They have gone above and beyond and are always keen to help. The garden looks amazing, the new blackboard is fantastic and they are always polite and friendly when on site.”
– Community Centre Manager
Working in partnership
The service works in partnership with Bristol Youth Offending Team and several community-based projects to offer a wide variety of opportunities to young people based on their skills, abilities, motivation and offending history. All our projects are fully risk assessed and planned with our partners to ensure young people, the public and Catch22 staff are safe, and that the project is appropriate for everyone involved.
Bristol Youth Offending Team
We have built a really positive relationship with the Youth Offending Team. We have responded quickly to referrals and booked in the Initial Assessment and sessions within a month of receiving the paperwork. At the end of each order, the YOT worker is sent an exit questionnaire, photos and all the session reports are sent after each session.
“Communication is great and they are providing a great service. [Catch22] is most helpful.”
– Bristol YOT Officer
Linkage
We work with two elderly and disabled ladies who need their garden tending to. We have mowed the lawn and cut bushes and tidied their gardens, so they are able to sit in them.
“James and his team have been brilliant and have helped me in my garden lots. I have had three different young people come and help and all have been friendly and hard working. James and his team are doing a great job.”
– Linkage user
Elm Tree Farm
This is a good placement for people who like working outside, on farmland and with animals. We haven’t used this site much this year due to COVID-19, but has proven popular with some young people.
St George Community Centre
A brilliant local community centre, who have enabled us to work with a wide range of young people. We have completed a wide-range of jobs at the centre, both inside and outside and it has provided a friendly and safe-space for our young people to work in.
Filwood Community Centre
Another fantastic local community centre that have enabled us to work with lots of young people from south Bristol. We have worked closely with the gardener at the centre and completed many jobs in the garden as well as painting around the centre.
Springfield Allotment
A remote spot in south Bristol that allows us to look after a plot of land. We have worked hard this year to maintain the plot and get it into a position to be able to grow fruit and vegetables on. Over the coming months it will be exciting to see the work develop and what we can produce in the sessions at the allotment.
“The panel love James and the Reparation team. They have a great range of projects for the young people and they provide an excellent service.”
– Bristol YOT Referral Manager
