Local Village Network (LVN) is a grassroots charity that supports the inclusion and equality of vulnerable young people (14-24 year olds), typically at risk of exclusion or not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET).
LVN has identified a lack of networks as a significant barrier to a young person’s progression. To tackle this LVN has developed a digital platform that brings business, statutory services, community and youth together around a village mentality. LVN provides young people with network, opportunities and a chance. Our mission is to ensure that underprivileged youth aged 14-24 have access to positive networks. We seek to level up, and increase a young person’s chance to participate in meaningful training, employment and education, and to improve long-term income prospects. This should be every person’s right.
THE LOCAL VILLAGE NETWORK YOUTH APP
Our LVN solution is underpinned by a smart, cost-effective, scalable digital youth hub that manages, safeguards and measures the impact of our services. It is downloadable as an app. LVN has developed a digital offer that brings networks to youth. Our app is the glue that brings the massive range of youth services across London together, in one place, in a format that young people want putting them in control.
The LVN solution is twofold and delivers a unique proposition:
1. Signposting
Crucial to change is awareness of all the support available to youth. The LVN signposting function highlights to young people the range of support available including jobs, apprenticeships, local events, and other youth services and providers. Young people can swipe through to find opportunities in their area. They have a lot to choose from with over 1,400 current listings.
The LVN app is now used by police officers across the Metroplitan Police. Watch this video to find out more LVN & The Met Police - YouTube
If you want to be featured on the App or know of any organisation that should be, please apply now by completing this application. Application to Upload to the Local Village Network Youth Signposting App (zohopublic.eu) This is a free to access and free to use service and LVN will provide a unique log-in code that enables approved provisions to manage and upload content.
2. The Local Village Network Power of an Hour Methodology
The LVN 'Power of an Hour' Method brings the community together to support local youth into employment by asking professional adults (volunteers) to give just 1 hour - the Power of an Hour. During the hour, adults share with young people details of their career journey, insights into their sector and organisation, and up to date inside advice and top tips on how to access jobs. This helps young people by giving them greater knowledge and confidence in the areas of interest to them. It also enables young people to explore and discover new employment opportunities that they had not hitherto considered. Hearing from volunteers makes young people feel included and helps broaden their perspective. One hour might not seem much, but collectively 10 sessions have proved to be enough to transform a young person’s life. All sessions are overseen by LVN trained work coaches.
LVN trains front line work coaches, employability advisers, outreach teams and youth practitioners that are already working with cohorts of young people. We give them the LVN methodology and technology to further engage with young people by giving them a way to develop a young person’s skills, knowledge, confidence and ability to network with diverse people. We boost their confidence to search for and apply for jobs; and we equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to maximise these opportunities.
This methodology meets young people’s individual needs by providing a management system of professional volunteers. Youth practitioners schedule hours with volunteers that most closely matches a young person’s interests. At the end of each hour they receive, participants complete an evaluation form that helps track their progress and provides them with an invaluable asset of positive networks.
To find out more about Local Village Network, please visit our website:
The Power of an Hour | Local Village Network (LVN)
And download the LVN app:
Local Village Network on the App Store (apple.com)
Local Village Network – Apps on Google Play
