Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Kilvinder Vigurs, South Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime, to Rush House.
Her visit gave us the opportunity to shine a light on the work we do every day to support young and vulnerable people across Rotherham. From providing safe accommodation to helping young people rebuild confidence, access education, and move towards employment, our focus is always the same: creating stability, opportunity and belief in change.
We spoke openly about the challenges facing young people in our communities, from housing insecurity and mental health barriers to exploitation and lack of opportunity. It was encouraging to share how our team works holistically, not just offering a roof over someone’s head, but walking alongside them as they rebuild their futures.
In turn, we learned more about the Deputy Mayor’s role within the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and her priorities around community safety, prevention, and partnership working across the region. Her passion for creating safer neighbourhoods and supporting those most at risk was clear, and it sparked some powerful conversations about how our work aligns.
Several ideas and potential opportunities were discussed, from collaborative approaches to prevention work, to strengthening pathways that help young people feel safer, heard, and supported. It’s always energising when shared values meet shared action.
Partnership working is vital in creating lasting change. No single organisation can tackle complex social challenges alone, but together, we can build communities where young people feel secure, valued, and empowered to thrive.
We’re grateful to Kilvinder for taking the time to visit and engage so openly with our work. We look forward to continuing the conversation and exploring how, together, we can help shape happy, healthy and safe communities across South Yorkshire.
