At the core of our work has been a detached presence on the streets, estates and open places of South Islington and Hackney. Many of the young people we work with choose not to engage with other agencies, activities and services; they trust City YMCA to listen and respond to their needs; in over 400 detached sessions a year, this is exactly what we do. Backing up our detached work has been the ongoing delivery and development of focus groups and pieces of work specifically targeted at the needs of individuals. All of our work is developed with the active involvement of young people who always contribute to the design of their programme.

The Young Leaders Against Crime project grew out of a focus group's determination to put something back. This project has been entirely conceived, planned and proposed by a group of young people who have progressed through City YMCA over time. A three phased project, the young people are conducting wide ranging research [Operation Trident; University of Greenwich Criminology Department; The Youth Offending Team and local Member of Parliament Emily Thornbury and a fact-finding trip to New York], developing an educational film with The Mouth That Roars before delivering a series of workshops to peers in other youth clubs and young people's venues in and around London. In 2006 we're looking forward to launching a radio station cafe and further enhancing our work in support of young people's sexual health.

If you'd like to know more about our youthwork, the principles that underpin it, or the methods we use, please contact: Francis Cooper, Head of Youth Projects, City YMCA.