Catch22

28/05/2026

We’re proud to have reached a major milestone: 1,000 people supported into jobs through our Energise Employability programme. 🎉

That’s 1,000 individuals building careers, strengthening their communities, and contributing to the UK’s growing economy.

Energise is an employability programme that connects those with barriers into work with targeted training and on-going in work support.

At Catch22, we know that employment is about more than income. We know that when people are in careers, they have a sense of purpose in life, good people around them, and a place that fosters a sense of community.

Supported by Shell UK, Energise is designed to open up opportunities in the fast-growing clean energy sector, supporting people across the UK with the skills, training, and pathways they need to succeed.

This milestone reflects the potential that’s unlocked when the right support meets real opportunity. We're looking forward to the future of the programme and how we continue to get more people into fulfilling jobs!

25/05/2026

The event of any child going missing from home or care is extremely concerning, so it is vital that statutory guidance is robust and fit for purpose when it’s the lives and wellbeing of children at stake.

That’s why we are encouraging the government to review the 2014 Statutory Guidance for children who go missing. Since its publication 12 years ago, our understanding of the risks facing missing children has evolved significantly.

Existing guidance doesn’t acknowledge child criminal exploitation, makes minimal references to mental health, and the mentions of online grooming and harms are limited when there have been significant developments in this area. Children who go missing from care make up a notable proportion of all missing children, yet the care landscape has changed considerably in the intervening years too.

Guidance which reflects the changes of the past 12 years, where our understanding of the root causes of missing episodes has significantly deepened, will better ensure proper safeguarding of children. This much-needed update would help prevent children from going missing but also help the ones who do to return home safely.

https://missingchildreneurope.eu/international-missing-childrens-day/

Missing Children Europe

25/05/2026

A child going missing is a key indicator that they could be a victim of exploitation. While this isn’t always the case, the link between missing episodes and a child being harmed is clear.

We all have a part to play in keeping the children in our lives and communities safe from going missing and being exploited. That’s why this International Missing Children’s Day 2026 we want to recognise how we can all contribute and take action to safeguard children.

We've created some guidance around steps to take and ways to inform ourselves to lessen the risk of a child going missing before it happens, the warning signs we should know to look out for, and what to do if they are missing.

Effective, collective safeguarding is crucial if we are to draw a line under child exploitation – working to stop harm before it happens and know how to act when we think a child is at risk.

For more advice on how to keep your child safe from going missing, please visit: https://www.catch-22.org.uk/resources/how-to-keep-your-child-safe-from-going-missing/

23/05/2026

Is there a young person in your family or community you are worried about when it comes to knife crime?

Help and support is available through multiple avenues whether you want to report your concerns or if you believe a young person is in imminent danger, as County Lines Support Service caseworker Kai explains.

Alongside assistance from schools, youth services, and local safeguarding teams, creating a safe space for conversation when you do believe a young person is at risk is key for building trust and helping get them out of danger.

By identifying at risk children and young people and reporting concerns, more victims will be helped out of exploitative situations and away from knife crime. It’s up to us to help draw a line under exploitation together.



Knife Crime Awareness Week

22/05/2026

This post includes references to youth violence and trauma, which some readers may find upsetting. Please take care while reading.

Ethan* was just 13 years old when he began to feel like he had to carry a knife for his own protection. He had started to go missing often and became disconnected from school and the friends he had there, with his once relaxed demeanour turning aggressive and unpredictable.
Local older males had targeted Ethan, who had been struggling with a disrupted family unit and an ADHD diagnosis. While he thought he was making new friends, they had groomed him to sell drugs. After being threatened with a knife himself, Ethan felt as though he had no choice but to start always carrying one with him too.

Fear and paranoia became Ethan’s default state of mind, and when a disagreement over his returning home later than agreed one evening escalated, he pulled out a knife on a family member.

After being referred to Catch22, Ethan’s caseworker began to build a relationship with him through consistent one-to-one support. Though Ethan was reluctant to view his situation as one where he had been exploited, his perspective changed once he felt he could trust his caseworker.

Following an incident where Ethan was found to be in possession of a knife at school, further discussions were had around what safety really looks like, as well as the means for safe disposal of weapons. He subsequently surrendered a knife of his own accord, having understood the huge risks that come with being a carrier and that it ultimately put him at serious risk.

Ethan began to acknowledge that his turbulent family situation had impacted his behaviour, along with adapting to his neurodiversity. He has since reengaged fully with his education, is focused on his exams, and has rekindled his positive friendships with his peers.

Stories like Ethan’s show that we can draw a line under child exploitation.

Donations help us to secure the futures of vulnerable children like Ethan by giving them the support they deserve. To donate, please visit: https://www.catch-22.org.uk/about-us/our-campaigns/drawing-the-line/donate/

*name has been changed

Knife Crime Awareness Week

21/05/2026

Last year, our Young Londoners’ Victim Service received 986 referrals for young people affected by knife crime, accounting for 13% of the overall figure. The majority were aged 13 to 15 years old, while six referrals were made for children under the age of nine.

These figures reflect just part of the wider picture of how knife crime impacts individuals, families, and communities. Our work focuses on helping young people navigate the emotional and psychological effects of their experiences, recognising that the impact extends far beyond the immediate incident.

The need for mental health support is significant, with 90% of young victims of knife crime we supported identified as benefiting from additional help. Through our services, we provide safe, trusted spaces where young people can process their experiences and begin to move forward with confidence.

While knife crime continues to affect too many lives, our frontline support shows that with the right interventions, understanding, and collaboration, we can make a meaningful difference in helping young people to heal and shape more positive futures.

For more information on how to get support in London, visit https://www.catch-22.org.uk/find-services/young-londoners-victim-service/

Our service works alongside partners Kooth, Advance and London Youth

Knife Crime Awareness Week

20/05/2026

This post includes references to youth violence and trauma, which some readers may find upsetting. Please take care while reading.

On his way to school one morning, 14-year-old Jordan* was threatened with a knife by someone from the local area who demanded he hand over his phone. In an instant, Jordan’s sense of safety disappeared, and the impact was immediate and overwhelming.

He experienced panic attacks, flashbacks and constant anxiety, and was unable to return to school for several weeks. When he did go back, concentrating in class felt impossible, and places he once felt comfortable suddenly felt unsafe. He also felt as though his parents didn’t fully understand the magnitude of what he’d been through and that they were dismissive of his feelings.

After being referred to one of Catch22’s victim services, Jordan and his family were supported by his caseworker, who took time to understand how his mental health had been impacted. Through one‑to‑one support, Jordan was given space to process what had happened at his own pace.

He worked on understanding trauma, building coping strategies, safety planning, and rebuilding confidence. Support was also put in place at school for Jordan to receive art and talking therapy, while his caseworker provided a personal alarm to increase his sense of security, and invited family members to a session so they could learn how best to support Jordan.

Today, Jordan is attending school more regularly, managing his anxiety more confidently, and beginning to feel safe again. His story is a reminder that early, trauma-informed support can make a real difference in helping young people recover and move forward from the impacts of knife crime.

Through building safe spaces and relationships for young people to process their trauma, the devastating ripple effect of knife crime is cut short while communities are strengthened and safer.

*name has been changed
Knife Crime Awareness Week

19/05/2026

Knife crime cannot be separated from county lines, and we see just how closely the two are interlinked through the experiences of the young people who access our services.

Kai, a case worker in our County Lines Support service, has shared how this element of county lines plays a prominent role in the work he does and the lives of those he supports.

While knife crime continues to be a national conversation, as Kai explains, it’s often much more complex than it first appears and there are still many misunderstandings around what motivates children and young people to carry weapons.

To successfully draw a line under exploitation and serious violence, we must understand the root causes of it to better prevent it.

Our video talks more about the link between knife crime and county lines

Kai will also be hosting a webinar on Knife Crime Awareness this Thursday, to learn more and sign up please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/knife-crime-awareness-tickets-1989221539172?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

17/05/2026

Join our free Knife Crime Awareness Webinar on Thursday 21 May.

Monday marks the beginning of Knife Crime Awareness Week, a crucial moment to shine a light on the realities of knife crime so we can better protect young people from serious violence.

We’re hosting a free webinar next Thursday for parents and carers wanting to learn more about knife crime, how it impacts the young people involved as well as the wider community, and what more can be done in the prevention space.

Education and understanding are a huge part of what will help us to draw a line under knife crime as an increase in awareness means more people are involved in effective prevention.

As this year’s theme from the Ben Kinsella Trust emphasises, change can happen, and action must go hand in hand with awareness.

Topics covered in the session include:

What knife crime is, and how it impacts communities
Identifying types and origins of weapons
The importance of early intervention and safeguarding

📅 Thursday 21st May
🕓 5pm – 6pm
📍 Online

Catch22 is delivering a session for all parents/carers who wish to understand more about Knife Crime

16/05/2026

“There's not as much support out there for young people who have been exploited. We need more support for those young people, especially the ones with neurodiverse needs.”

Through our delivery of the national County Lines Support Service, we support children and young people who are battling the mental trauma that comes with experiencing exploitation, grooming, and coercion.

Sandra, our regional manager for London, explains how our teams aim to create a safe space for those young people to talk and build them back up as they work through gaining back control after exploitation.

However, it’s clear there is still more mental health provision that is needed for these vulnerable young people and their families.

One of the core themes in our Drawing the Line campaign is calling for proper, specialised, mental health aftercare for victims. They must have the help they deserve to give them the best chance at brighter futures

Watch our video to learn more about the mental health impact of county lines