A pioneering new initiative has launched this autumn to help safeguard and support vulnerable young people in and around London Waterloo – one of the UK’s busiest train stations.
South Bank BID, working in partnership with leading children’s charity Railway Children and South Western Railway, has launched a 12-month Youth Outreach Pilot Scheme aimed at identifying and supporting young people under 18 who may be experiencing homelessness, family breakdown, criminal or sexual exploitation, or other situations leaving them vulnerable, at risk or in need of help.
Funded through South Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund and South Bank BID, the pilot will employ a dedicated Railway Children Youth Outreach Worker based at Waterloo Station. This specialist role will proactively build trust with young people, connect them to appropriate services, and engage local partners to strengthen community awareness and response.
A key focus of the project will be education and collaboration. The Youth Outreach Worker will lead awareness sessions with rail and station staff, the British Transport Police, and employees from bars, restaurants, and shops in Waterloo Station - helping them to identify and respond to vulnerable young people in need of support. By offering early, compassionate intervention, the scheme also seeks to reduce the risk of young people being drawn into unsafe or harmful situations, helping to intercept potential criminal behaviour and address the underlying issues that lead to it.
They will also engage local schools, colleges, community groups and youth organisations, as well as Lambeth’s Youth Engagement Service to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young people and create a joined-up approach to supporting and protecting young people.
The pilot will run for 12 months, with the aim of establishing best practice for how transport hubs and local communities can work together to protect and empower young people in need of support.
Alex Valenzuela – Director of Place at South Bank BID said, “Partnership working is at the heart of what we do, and this initiative is a great example of how collaboration can bring real change. By working alongside Railway Children, South Western Railway, British Transport Police, Lambeth Council, and other local partners, we’re helping to create a safer, more supportive South Bank and Waterloo - one where vulnerable young people are recognised, protected, and given the help they need.”
Gaynor Little, Railway Children’s UK Programme Manager, said “We are really grateful for the opportunity to expand our UK provision with this new role based at London Waterloo. Within the first few weeks of the role, we have already been able to directly support vulnerable young people found missing and at risk, working with British Transport Police to return them home to safety.
By working with Train Operating Companies, BTP and the wider rail community, we can help raise awareness of vulnerable young people on the rail network and help change common misconceptions. It’s important that anyone who spots a vulnerable young person knows to contact BTP on 61016, who then work with our teams to provide the required support.”
Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s Customer and Commercial Director, said: “London Waterloo is the biggest station on our network, with over 260,000 people travelling through every day. We are proud to support this project through our Customer and Communities Improvement Fund and play our part in making our stations a safer and more supportive environment for everyone – especially vulnerable young people. By working with South Bank BID and Railway Children, we’re helping to ensure that our stations can offer support where it is needed most”.
