EARLY INTERVENTION: ENERGISE TO THRIVE
We intervene as early as possible to support vulnerable and underserved children and young people, working closely with families through a wraparound, whole-family approach.
The young people Refocus supports often share common challenges. Many are already displaying persistent negative behaviours, including substance misuse, self-harm, anti-social behaviour, school disengagement, association with gangs or harmful peer groups and early-stage offending.
These behaviours rarely exist in isolation. They are often rooted in adverse childhood experiences, including:
Unstable or unsafe home environments
Domestic violence and trauma
Sexual abuse
Parental imprisonment
Poor mental health
Fractured relationships with parents or carers
Without intervention, these factors significantly increase the likelihood of children and young people opting out of education, being drawn into crime, becoming vulnerable to exploitation, grooming and drug dealing, experiencing long-term mental health challenges and facing troubled futures.
It is well evidenced that early intervention and prevention can disrupt these trajectories, reducing demand on both mental health services and the justice system while improving life outcomes for young people.
OUR APPROACH: ENERGISE TO THRIVE
Our Energise programme provides diversionary, strengths-based support delivered in collaboration with trusted partners and practitioners.
We engage children and young people from low-income and high-risk backgrounds through school-based activities, pop-up hubs and outreach, delivering:
Sports and physical activity
Creative arts and music
Trips and enrichment experiences
Structured group activities and safe spaces
Health checks and education
Creating and learning projects
Homework support
This is not just activity-based provision. It is a deliberate engagement model designed to:
Build trust and positive relationships
Reconnect young people to safe adults and communities
Develop confidence, emotional resilience and social skills
Identify strengths, interests and aspirations
We recognise that trusted, ongoing relationships are central. By creating consistent connections with adults and peers, we create the conditions for meaningful and sustained change.
SERVICE OBJECTIVES
To provide early intervention and wraparound support to vulnerable, marginalised and low-income children, young people and families
To improve mental health, wellbeing and resilience through mentoring, workshops and ongoing support
To deliver diversionary and enrichment activities during term time, half terms and holidays
To support families, including refugees and asylum seekers, to access opportunities, services and positive pathways
PROGRESSION: THRIVE
Energise is the starting point, not the end. Young people are supported to progress into Thrive, where they:
Become peer mentors and volunteers
Take on sessional youth roles
Access job-readiness training
Move into employment pathways, apprenticeships and summer jobs
Receive support in setting up their own business
This progression model ensures that young people are not just supported but empowered to lead, contribute and succeed.
IMPACT
Through this model, we:
Interrupt negative pathways early
Reduce risk of offending and exploitation
Improve wellbeing and engagement
Create sustainable routes into education, training and employment
Most importantly, we support young people to move from risk to resilience to leadership.
BUILDING STRONGER FUTURES TOGETHER
Refocus Project works with families, schools and professionals to ensure every young person receives the right support at the right time. Through early intervention, diversionary activities and trusted relationships, we help young people move from risk to resilience to leadership.
Contact us today to find out how we can support your organisation or community.