Lives Not Knives
From "People Powered Manor Park"
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Proposed budget
Description
Lives Not Knives – Newham Young People Training Initiative
Knife crime continues to have a devastating impact on young people and communities in Newham. In the year to March 2023, there were 642 knife-crime incidents in the borough – the highest number recorded across London. Young men are particularly affected, either as direct victims, perpetrators, or peers who carry the burden of fear, trauma, and lost opportunities. Addressing this issue requires early intervention and positive engagement to prevent more lives from being cut short.
The Lives Not Knives project will deliver a structured training and mentoring programme for young men aged 14–25 in Newham at Revival House Church. The programme will combine awareness-raising, life skills, and empowerment to support participants in making safer choices, developing confidence, and accessing opportunities away from crime.
The training will cover:
- Awareness and Consequences: Workshops exploring what knife crime is, the legal implications of carrying or using knives, and the human cost through real-life stories of victims and families.
- Risk Factors and Decision Making: Practical sessions to help young men identify peer pressure, social exclusion, and other triggers, while building decision-making, de-escalation, and refusal skills.
- Alternatives and Empowerment: Mentoring and group activities focused on positive pathways such as sports, arts, volunteering, apprenticeships, and leadership. These sessions will help participants set personal goals and grow in confidence.
- Health and Wellbeing: Sessions addressing mental health, trauma, grief, and stress management, alongside awareness of the physical health consequences of violence. First aid basics and drug and alcohol awareness will also be included.
- Community and Peer Support: Creating safe spaces for dialogue, peer mentoring, and youth voice activities, enabling participants to contribute to community solutions and strengthen support networks.
Through this project, young men will gain vital knowledge, practical life skills, and resilience, reducing their risk of involvement in knife crime. At the same time, the programme will build their confidence, connect them to health and support services, and open pathways into positive community roles. By tackling the root causes of violence and inequality, Lives Not Knives will contribute to safer, healthier, and more equitable outcomes for young people in Newham.
