As part of our 5th Birthday Celebration, Madhu Chauhan Head of Early Help and Youth Offending Team WCC, is sharing her journey and experience in the Westminster Community.

What is your favourite thing about the borough of Westminster?

Westminster’s vibrant diverse community.

What are some of your own experiences as a young person?

I did attend youth services, in my home town of Birmingham. It was really important to have young adult role models from my own community.

What has been your journey to the Young Westminster community?

I have worked as a play leader many years ago in Westminster while a student. I worked across the borough, starting off in the Lisson Green area, finally running my own project in Sussex Street in Pimlico. I now work in partnership with Youth Hubs who are integral to the Early Help service offer.

What impact has Young Westminster Foundation had over the past five years?

YWF have been instrumental in bringing together the youth sector in Westminster, on a strategic and operational level. They have advocated and supported the need for a co-ordinated approach. The impact of their work has supported our reach through the Early Help service and enabled a cohesive approach to the offer made through the Family Hubs in the three locality areas. The Foundation is a key partner in the Early Help Partnership Board, with the CEO as joint chair our relationship has grown from strength to strength – long may it continue. You have achieved many milestones in the last 5 years that quite rightly need to be celebrated, reminding us all how vital this partnership work is. I look forward to the next five!

What do you hope for Westminster’s young people over the next five years?

To have happy healthy lives, with opportunities to reach their full potential to experience activities in a safe structured environment.

Why are youth services important to you?

They provide an important offer for young people to meet, participate and get involved in many different activities that would ordinarily be difficult to access. Youth clubs and organisations provide young people to access a variety of services from sports, creative to mental health and wellbeing in a safe space.