Meet three community champions who are making our communities safer

12/06/2024

In the heart of Poplar, Emmanuel, Waqar, and Rizwan work tirelessly on safeguarding, safety, and youth engagement to create a safe, supportive, and connected community for all residents.

Emmanuel: Our dedicated Safeguarding Intervention Manager

Emmanuel’s role as a Safeguarding Intervention Manager focuses on the wellbeing of young people in Poplar. He works within the Community Safeguarding team to advocate for vulnerable youth, coordinating with various partners to provide proactive support that helps prevent antisocial behaviour.

Emmanuel’s work involves meeting with different agencies and service providers and direct engagement with young residents. His approach is a proactive one, with intervention to meet the unique needs of each young person.

“We need to be dynamic and adapt to the unique challenges that each young person faces.”

Emmanuel focuses on helping young people overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes by building positive relationships and steering them away from trouble.

“I built a relationship with this young person and helped them understand the risks they were facing.

“It was pretty difficult to build that relationship. But when that relationship was built, and I saw this person once a week I somehow managed to communicate with them on how dangerous it is for them to associate with this group and how he probably might not even be ready for some of the repercussions that might follow. I spoke about how being associated with that group makes them vulnerable to serious youth violence as well. Association [in these groups] alone is enough.”

Emmanuel shared how he is collaborating with local services to help this young person return to school. Additionally, the young person now attends Spotlight, our youth service, to continue receiving support.

Emmanuel has over 20 years of experience working with young people in Tower Hamlets, where he grew up and attended a youth centre we used to run. He recalls persuading Chris Ley, the former Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods, to buy DJ equipment for the Linc Centre Youth Service as young people were interested in learning how to DJ.

This personal experience, along with his background in helping people makes Emmanuel a strong advocate for young people. He is dedicated to helping them thrive and contribute positively to the community.

“I see myself in these young people, and I know that with the right support, they can overcome any challenge.”

Emmanuel encourages residents to engage with safeguarding services and report concerns early to prevent issues from escalating.

“Getting to know your neighbours and being aware of what’s happening in your community is crucial.”

He emphasises the power of community unity in creating a safe and supportive environment for us all.

Emmanuel

Waqar: Our Community Safety Officer

Waqar, one of four Community Safety Officers, plays a vital role in maintaining peace and safety in the community. His job involves resolving issues between affected residents and perpetrators through evidence collection and direct engagement.

Waqar’s duties range from addressing noise disturbances to vandalism. He gathers evidence and engages with perpetrators to resolve issues before they escalate to legal proceedings.

“We are the sort of in-between victims and the perpetrators. We need to establish and get the evidence before we can then speak to them about it.”

Waqar gets great satisfaction in helping residents be and feel safe. Waqar and his team actively position themselves in the community to ensure that all residents feel safe. For example, his team once assisted an elderly person who had been robbed. They provided immediate support by taking her home and making sure she was safe. Waqar and his team intend to provide the lady with continuous support. He recalls:

“A lady was sitting at the bus stop. She got mugged…we’re looking to do a little bit of investigation…to find out who she is and if she is a resident, then we can look out for her wellbeing.”

Additionally, during the holidays, Waqar and his colleagues proactively reached out to elderly residents, offering support, and identifying those in need of further help.

“We actually door-knocked all our elderly residents over 70, offering them support and giving them [food] vouchers.”

With a background in working with vulnerable people, Waqar values making a difference in the community.

“I’ve worked in a homeless hostel for about 12 years, so I’ve got the experience working with vulnerable people.”

Waqar urges everyone to report even minor issues, as they can be part of a larger problem. He also highlights the importance of empathy and understanding causes of behaviour.

“No matter how small something is, report it…it might be linked to something bigger.”

Waqar

Rizwan: Our Youth Engagement Lead

Rizwan’s role as a Youth Engagement Lead involves engaging young people in unconventional settings (such as parks, stairwells, street corners, in front of chicken shops etc.) where they often spend most of their spare time. He works to reach out to those who are disengaged, vulnerable, or involved in negative activities.

Growing up in Tower Hamlets, Rizwan understands the challenges faced by young people. His work involves collaboration with the Safer Neighbourhood team, parents, and the community to identify and support at-risk youth.

“We go to where the young people are. Whether it’s the streets, parks, or local hangout spots, we meet them there. It’s about building trust and showing them that we care.”

Rizwan shares the story of a group initially involved in gang violence. Persistent engagement and support helped many turn their lives around, with some going on to university and others finding jobs.

“Over months of talking and showing him alternatives, one boy decided to leave the gang. Now, he’s studying at university and working part-time.”

Rizwan believes that direct, personal interaction can build trust. This in turn can connect them with positive activities and services.

“We don’t wait for them to come to us. We approach them with respect and genuine interest.”

Rizwan stresses the importance of interacting with young people. Simple gestures like saying hello can make a big difference. By engaging positively, the community can help steer young people towards better paths.

“Sometimes, all it takes is a smile or a greeting. Young people need to feel seen and valued.”

Rizwan thrives on making a real difference in young people’s lives. He enjoys the unpredictability and the potential to change lives through every interaction.

“Every day is different, and every interaction has the potential to change a life. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Rizwan

Emmanuel, Waqar, and Rizwan are all an integral part of our efforts to make our communities safer. They work hard and take action to help others. This shows that when people care, act and come together as a community, we are all safer.

To report any antisocial behaviour, please email communitysafety@poplarharca.co.uk or call our Community Safety team directly on 0800 035 1991. Our lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Antisocial behaviour policy Antisocial behaviour Detached youthwork timetable