Dog walks helping young people build trust in public services

Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd is funding a pilot project that aims to improve trust in public services among vulnerable young people.

The Baxter Project delivers animal-assisted, trauma-informed early intervention to young people struggling with issues including anxiety, school avoidance, emotional regulation, behaviour and trust.

Sessions are deliberately informal, with specialist practitioners using the calming presence of their dog to build trust and create a safe environment where young people can open up about the issues affecting them.

The pilot project is using this model to explore the difficulties some young people have with trusting public services, such as education and the police. The information gathered will be used to help services improve the way they engage with young people in the future.

Jane Mudd said: “It is fantastic to see the difference that something as simple as a dog walk can make when engaging with children and young people. In my Children and Young People’s Charter, I made a promise to young people that I would do all in my power to make sure that services are the best they can be. This pilot project is helping us to gain a real understanding of some of the barriers young people face when engaging with services. I hope that, going forward, we will use this evidence to make a real difference for the children and young people in our communities.”

The Baxter Project was founded by David O’Driscoll following years spent working in probation and youth offending services. He said: “Our sessions are deliberately informal, as simple as taking the dog for a walk. However, they are underpinned by serious, evidence-informed practice. Our work builds trusted relationships and improves regulation, attendance and engagement with young people. Now, we are using it to explore their relationships with public services and how these can be improved.”

The project is currently operating at a number of schools in Gwent, including The John Frost School in Newport. Family engagement officer Lorraine Pollard said: “We are seeing a big spike in wellbeing issues that affect our young people and can lead to them disengaging from education and experiencing difficulties outside school. They are often reserved in what they will say to staff members, but having Charlotte and her dog Olaf here creates a different atmosphere, lifts the mood and helps young people to feel happier around school. The difference has been unbelievable, and we have seen young people become more confident and happier. Their relationships with teachers and staff have greatly improved.”