How Navigators Supported a Young Person After a Knife Attack

Note: To keep the young person's identity confidential, we refer to them as 'Shayne' throughout the example below.

About the Navigators

Specially-trained 'Navigators' based in Hull Royal Infirmary, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital (Grimsby) reach out to patients aged between 11 and 35 who have suffered injuries linked to violence.

The Navigators build relationships with these young people, guiding them to local services and providing ongoing support to help them make positive changes in their lives.

Shona - one of our Hull-based Navigators - shared this powerful case study from 16-year-old Shayne.

Shayne's Story

Shayne was referred to our Navigators team following an assault where he was threatened with a knife. Since the referral, the service has provided comprehensive support to him and his family, including emotional support.

The Navigators have built a therapeutic relationship with Shayne through walks and talks, offering practical advice and solutions, youth club referrals and signposting him to relevant agencies. This has included referrals to Flipside, social care, Connexions, Mind and ongoing discussions with his school and VEMT (Vulnerable, Exploited, Missing and Trafficked) team to ensure his safety and wellbeing.

Psychoeducation work has been delivered directly with Shyane, alongside fortnightly visits from the Navigator service, alternating with his scheduled sessions at Flipside to offer weekly support. Throughout this period, he has engaged consistently and positively.

Since engaging with the Navigators, Shayne has had no further hospital admissions related to violence and is now more settled and stable in his day‑to‑day life. He has demonstrated strong commitment to his support plan, attending all appointments and engaging meaningfully in each session. The Navigators say he is a pleasure to work with and the progress he has made reflects the significant effort he has invested in his own development.

Shayne said: “I am 16 and I got admitted to A&E because I got jumped by a group of 18-year-olds. I was feeling very worried and anxious at that time and thought that it would happen again. The Navigators service has helped me change my life around and prevented me from getting into trouble.

“Since I have been getting help, I have been feeling better in myself and look healthier. If I didn’t have this service provided to me, I think I would have carried on down the wrong path and be dead or in jail by now. I have also gotten referrals from Flipside to get extra help and am now on the waiting list for an ADHD and autism assessment.

“I know the Navigators service is important because it can get young people like me out of a cycle that is only going to end badly. I couldn’t have done it without the help of Shona and her brilliant team.”

Shayne’s mum said: “Shona is my son’s Navigator. We first met Shona about a year ago when my son was admitted to A&E after being beaten up. Shona got involved by visiting us as a family at home and supporting my son. She would liaise with the school and managed to get him extra support and helped get him into further education.

“Shona placed a referral into social services and to Mind so my son can get some counselling. She also put in a referral to Flipside who now work with Shayne. She listened to my concerns as a parent and realised my son has most probably been labelled “naughty and difficult” his whole life, but shows many signs of ADHD. We are now on the waiting list for an assessment thanks to the Navigators.

“This service has been so helpful to not only my son, but us as a family. I believe that without Shona’s support and signposting to other services, Shayne would probably not still be living at home, which wouldn’t have been ideal for anyone. No doubt he would have had to rely on the council to house and fund him and most likely be at high risk of exposure to drugs or alcohol and a life of crime.”