As part of the SafeSpaces Project, Velos Youth piloted the SafeSpaces methodology at its Day Centre in Greece to strengthen support for young refugees, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors. The pilot aimed to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where young people could feel safe, build trusting relationships and actively participate in their own development. By combining social work, youth work and trauma-informed practices, the initiative sought to enhance both the wellbeing of participants and the capacity of professionals working with them.
The pilot followed the SafeSpaces Step-by-Step Framework, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of participants’ needs, community resources and existing safeguarding procedures. The Velos Youth team mapped local services, strengthened cooperation with NGOs and external stakeholders, and reviewed referral pathways, registration processes and operational procedures to ensure coordinated and effective support.
The methodology combined structured case management with informal youth work approaches, recognising young people as active participants rather than passive recipients of services. Individual mentoring, Personal Development Plans, life skills workshops, psychoeducation sessions, creative activities and peer-led initiatives formed the core of the intervention. Throughout the process, professionals applied trauma-informed, rights-based and strengths-based principles, encouraging resilience, participation and meaningful engagement while continuously adapting activities to participants’ evolving needs.
The pilot demonstrated that the SafeSpaces methodology provides both a practical framework for professionals and a supportive environment for young people. Staff observed stronger relationships with participants, increased trust and greater engagement in educational, recreational and group activities. Creative workshops and peer interactions helped young people develop confidence, strengthen social connections and foster a sense of belonging within the centre.
The holistic assessment process also enabled professionals to move beyond identifying vulnerabilities by recognising participants’ strengths, aspirations and personal resources. Regular reflection, team debriefings and monitoring tools improved coordination among staff and contributed to more consistent and person-centred support.
While the implementation highlighted challenges such as the time required to build trust, varying levels of participation and the demands of documentation and safeguarding procedures, the methodology proved sufficiently flexible to respond to the diverse realities of young people on the move.
The Velos Youth pilot confirmed that the SafeSpaces methodology is an effective and adaptable approach for supporting vulnerable young people. By integrating safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, participatory youth work and holistic case management, the methodology strengthened both professional practice and participants’ wellbeing. The experience demonstrated that safe spaces are built not only through appropriate procedures, but through trusting relationships, meaningful participation and opportunities that empower young people to develop resilience, build connections and actively shape their futures.
