The Nest team works with children and young people aged 8 to 18 to provide practical help and advocacy following any type of crime. Support is available even when the crime hasn’t been reported to the police.
The campaign will highlight different types of crime with the aim of encouraging young people to contact the Nest team if they have been affected. Young people will see messages through social media with targeted messages for parents and carers going online at the same time. The Nest team also aims to share messages with schools and other professionals working with children and young people in Lancashire to help share their offer of support.
The Nest team has adapted throughout the pandemic to ensure that they can continue to work with young people safely so that no one misses out on the support available.
Reece Richards, Operations Manager for Nest Lancashire said: “We really want young people who have experienced or witnessed a crime to know that support is out there for them and that they don’t have to go through it by themselves.
“We can offer support following any type of crime and young people do not have to speak to the police to be able to access our services. We work with young people who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, hate crime, harassment, criminal exploitation or any other type of crime to help them move forward from what has happened.
“Nobody affected by crime should go through that experience by themselves, especially when they are young and may not yet have the tools they need to deal with what has happened.
“Our message is simple, if you have experienced or witnessed any type of crime, we are here to support you, please get in touch.”
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw who funds the service and the campaign added: “Supporting victims and vulnerable people is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan and ensuring support for children and young people as part of that is especially important.
“We know that crime can have a long lasting impact and that’s especially true for younger victims. The right support can help children and young people to move forward from what has happened and the Nest team offer just that.
“Having met the team as well as people who have accessed support from Nest, I know first-hand that the work they do can be life changing. If you are or know a young person that may need support following a crime I would urge you to contact Nest Lancashire.”
Young people or their parents or carers can contact Nest by texting NEST and their number to 60777, by calling 0300 111 0323 or by emailing info@nestlancashire.org. Professionals working with children and young people can make referrals using the contact form at www.lancashirevictimservices.org/contact-us.
Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw and Reece Richards from Nest Lancashire