‘Connect’ project in hospitals reduces violence and demand on public services

A new report reveals youth workers in emergency departments helped over 1,400 young people escape violence and exploitation in one year.

The report, published today by the NI Executive’s programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime, evaluates the Education Authority-led CONNECT project which was undertaken by Dr Colm Walsh of Queen’s University Belfast, and points to the potential for the approach to further reduce youth violence and demands on hard-pressed critical care services.

Youth workers based in two Emergency Departments (EDs) engage and support vulnerable young people aged 15-25 when they arrive in hospitals. They are often very vulnerable and many of them are repeat attenders to the ED.  The youth workers use what is called a ‘teachable moment’ to engage with them at these critical moments and then provide mentoring support, helping young people access the right support in the community. This allows the medical teams to focus on other clinical issues and reduces the chances that the young people will return to the emergency department again.

The report, which includes anonymous case studies and feedback from the people involved, highlights the complex needs of many young people which, if left unaddressed, can make them more vulnerable to violence and criminal exploitation.

To read the report, please click on the link below.