Last week our Year 9 students took part in a whole day event that offered interactive, discussion-based workshops.

Six guest speakers delivered sessions on lived experiences. Speakers told their stories of how negative choices have impacted their lives and the consequences that this has brought to themselves, their families, and their communities. The purpose was to enable young people to make better choices about their lives and futures.

Themes included involvement in gangs, knife crime, county lines, violence, negative relationships, and child criminal exploitation, as well as hearing how a young person fell victim to such violence and was murdered as a consequence.

The aim of the sessions are…

• Students will be able to demonstrate more positive behaviours and attitude having been engaged with the various workshops and discussions with guest speaker.

• Students will have greater understanding of the consequences and impact of their choices on themselves, their families, and their communities.

• Students contribute to stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities to keep themselves and others safe by making better informed choices.

• Students feel inspired and engaged to make better choices during school to support themselves and their peers.

We heard from…

West Yorkshire Police provided a scenario-based workshop that allowed students to see first-hand how a murder investigation unfolds – based on a real-life case! With a video testimony from a serving prisoner that linked directly into the scenario – the police prison hub provided real insight into the dangers of carrying a knife and the tragic consequences that can occur.

A resettlement officer and prison officer from Wetherby Young Offenders Institute explained to students what the realities of prison are from the moment a defendant enters the docks and their first week’s experience in prison. Supported by a short video from a real-life prosecution.

Sam is a qualified teacher and Youth Worker for Leeds City Council, with a vast amount of experience working with individuals at risk and young people who have suffered trauma – working with them and their families to create positive pathways through the medium of art. Sam provided students the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings through art, creating a small piece of artwork for themselves.

Adam struggled with his identity growing up in a mixed British/Muslim household. Having left school with no qualifications, Adam began taking drugs and getting into low level crime. This escalated to dealing drugs, battling depression and convictions. Adam now works with young people to promote the benefits of exercise and good lifestyle choices.

Entrenched in addiction since the age of 15, for the next 23 years. Alison has experiences of domestic violence, homelessness, criminal and sexual exploitation as part of a county lines gang whom she “worked” with to fund her addiction for several years. Also has experience of child sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted family member. Alison was brought up in a house with lots of violence and mental health issues.

Weapons awareness. Understanding the impact of crime is important and this video highlights the wider network of people affected by knife crime. We looked at the wider family and moved on to discuss how the community itself are impacted upon. We ensured that students are aware of further help that they can access by discussing different support networks.