Trusted Adult Scheme
TAS supports children and young people living in Cambridgeshire by providing opportunities for activity and engagement with trusted adults in a safe space, bringing ARU and the local community closer together.
At ARU we are committed to expanding our civic mission by engaging with the local community to actively address societal challenges and change lives. We are passionate about contributing to the local community in a positive and sustainable way.
TAS brings together a team of youth support workers, a network of children’s services practitioners, academics, and trained adults to work together in order to advance our understanding of (and ultimately address) the needs of the children and young people in our local community.
Who is TAS for?
Children and young people aged 13-17 years from Cambridgeshire. Places are limited, you need to have signed up and provided the details (name and email address) of your key worker to join the scheme.
When does TAS take place?
TAS runs during the school holidays and one evening a week during school term time. Please visit the sign-up page for more information about upcoming session dates.
What happens at TAS?
Each day we set up a ‘hub’, a comfortable space where we provide refreshments, an opportunity to enjoy the PlayStation 5 and virtual reality headset, a variety of games and use of the wi-fi. You can also make use of the ARU campus gym and sports facilities.
In addition to the hub facilities (which are available for the duration of each session) we facilitate a number of workshops you can choose to take part in if you wish, such as music recording workshops in our state-of-the-art recording studios, led by musician and project team member Tim Webster, and street art workshops run by graffiti artist and project team member William ‘Kilo’ Pengelly.
Our sessions are informal and friendly. You decide what you want to do and when, and we are here to help make that happen in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
What do TAS participants and partners think about the scheme?
Young people who have taken part in the scheme so far say:
- “I’ve met some decent adults I wouldn’t have met before.”
- “I rate it.”
- “It made me feel safe.”
- “The people were inclusive and had good energy. The facilities were exquisite.”
- “It was a good opportunity to meet new people and share things about yourself and let people know who you are as a person.”
- “It’s a safe space to meet new people.”
Practitioners who have partnered in the scheme say:
“The scheme has completely changed the face of work over the summer holidays and has allowed me to have two full days in every week, to spend meaningful time with [young people], in a safe space. The young people I have brought have not been in a routine like this in a long time and no one has engaged in such a thing before.”
“…I have seen traditionally challenging [young people] spend quality time with trusted adults and practitioners, opening up discussing relevant topics. I have seen [young people] who are shy and often do not get involved activities, get involved and come out of their shell.”
“This scheme has exceeded my expectations. I hoped it would give my young people something to do over the summer, keep them off the streets and ultimately keep them safe. They have attended the project more than I imagined and impressed me so much with their engagement…”
“These young people have made links with staff here that they respect. Staff have treated these guys with respect, and it shows.”
Meet the TAS team
The TAS project is a collaboration between ARU, Cambridgeshire County Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (NHS).
The project is led by Paul Nelson, Vicky Gadd and Anna Markovska, (Deputy Director of the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region (PIER).
Find out more about the TAS project team.
For more information, contact [email protected]
