CREATING PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE USING DIVERT.

There is no better feeling than seeing a young person move away from the dangers of violence and achieving their dreams. It fills them with hope, it fills me with hope and gives policing and communities hope too.

Chief Inspector Jack Rowland – London VRU – Founder of “Divert” 

Police officers are deeply affected by what they deal with in their profession. Losing someone to violence is felt deeply amongst us and prompts us to think about solutions and what we can do to prevent it from happening.

Having personal experience of dealing with the consequences of violence both involving victims and perpetrators I wanted to do more than what was currently in front me.

Knowing how important opportunities are to young people and offering pathways to help them I created DIVERT. DIVERT uses police custody in a new way, not just using it for detention and process but one of opportunity and hope.

Working with Custody Intervention Coaches who are based directly in six police custodies in London we are able to listen to the aspirations, ambitions and hopes of what young people want to achieve. Building a relationship and working with great organisations we are able to support those people into employment, education and training.

So far we have worked with over 1000 young people and are now able to offer DIVERT in other parts of the country. There is no better feeling than seeing a young person move away from the dangers of violence and achieving their dreams. It fills them with hope, it fills me with hope and gives policing and communities hope too.