Sussex Youth Ambassadors help thousands of students understand online grooming risks
Young leaders educate peers about dangers and boost online safety
Last updated 17th Dec 2025
Sussex Youth Ambassadors have marked a successful year delivering vital sessions about online grooming to children and young people across the county.
Recruited by the Breck Foundation and funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne OBE, 48 Youth Ambassadors from 14 Sussex schools have worked to spread awareness of online dangers through assemblies and other peer-led presentations.
By the end of 2025, the Ambassadors' work has reached almost 4,000 young people through 20 school assemblies, six sessions at BHASVIC during student conferences, and engagement with 191 attendees at the Crawley Junior Citizen Event.
Peer-led education
The Ambassadors tell the story of Breck Bednar, who tragically lost his life in 2014 after being groomed online, using this real-life example to highlight online safety risks. The sessions not only aim to educate, but also inspire students to discuss and share the story beyond the classroom.
Parents have praised the positive impact of the programme on the Ambassadors themselves, with many showing increased confidence and public speaking ability. One parent said: “She has found a voice, been recognised at school which is something that has never happened before. She has felt nurtured and supported to tell Breck’s story and gained in confidence too.”
Teachers have also commented on the effectiveness of the sessions, with one Leader of Year 8 saying the assemblies sparked conversations among students and their families, ensuring the story reached homes as well as classrooms.
Future goals
Following the festive break, the Ambassadors will work with Project Coordinator Giselle Wild to influence educational approaches to online safety by identifying gaps in school curricula and pushing for targeted changes.
Ms Wild said: “What an action-packed first term we’ve had! All 14 schools have completed their Breck’s story training and assemblies have been rolling weekly, reaching thousands of young people with more to come. The next step is looking at the wider YA responsibilities and how to really impact the school’s provision.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne also emphasised the importance of the programme, saying: “Online grooming of children is a growing problem and the consequences can be terrifying which is why I have joined forces with the Breck Foundation to protect future generations.
“The Sussex Youth Ambassadors’ success is a testament to their dedication and the Breck Foundation’s commitment to empowering young voices. By giving them the confidence and tools to share such an important story, they have sparked a movement towards meaningful education that prepares young people for online challenges.”