Young people are set to benefit from a grant to develop the Jubilee Youth Café in Saffron Walden, run by Enterprise East.
The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) awarded Enterprise East £15,080, which will go towards the café's work giving young people access to trusted adults and a safe space.
The Jubilee Youth Café will provide a safe space for young people to make friends, socialise and learn how to stay safe online and within their communities.
Sessions will be hosted by trained support workers, who can listen and respond to young people's concerns.
The VVU funding will enable Enterprise East to run these sessions, provide activities and refreshments, and supply parcels of food, sanitary and hygiene products.
A portion of the funding will be used to fund community transport and help pay for public transport, to ensure those without easy access to a vehicle can still attend.
Dani Saltmarsh, senior student support and business development co-ordinator at Enterprise East, said: "We are so grateful for the funding from the VVU for this project.
"Services that young people can access independently are limited but in demand.
"As daily pressures on young people increase with each generation, we want to provide a service that enables them to access support and meet their needs where possible."
The funding is one of 18 grants, collectively worth more than £300,000, which the VVU has awarded to charities across Essex which benefit young people and help keep them away from crime.
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, who is also chair of the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Partnership, said: "The VVU grant supports activities that give children and young people access to mentoring, counselling, friendships and trusted adults.
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"Many offer positive activities for young people to get involved with – sport, drama, youth clubs – and provide targeted support away from involvement in violent crime or antisocial behaviour.
"All the charities we are funding are committed to protecting young people, to give them a better future.
"By working together, we can make Essex a safer place for children to live and grow up in."
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