Providing real protection for inner city youth
Dan knows that it makes sense not to carry weapons but he is also afraid of walking the streets without carrying something to protect himself. During our mentoring sessions at his secondary school, we talked together about the consequences of carrying weapons and dangers of getting involved in gangs.
The unfortunate truth is, young people like Dan are aware of the dangers of being involved in 'gangs' but are also aware of what might happen to them if they don't join a gang. Who will protect them from the realities of the newspaper headlines if they don't join something bigger, if they don't become part a gang?
One of the messages that we are passionate about sharing with our young people is that there are positive activities and safe environments to meet your friends.
Providing young people with alternatives to violence and gang culture is essential and we have seen how this early intervention works. As part of the schools team at the Waterloo hub, we run a transitional support mentoring programme for young people who are struggling to make the move from Primary to Secondary school in south London. As well as practically providing information and support for the move to secondary school, we also talk about issues such as gangs, staying safe and setting positive goals for the future.
I have admiration and respect for young people living in London who don't turn to violence as the answer. Young people like Josh, who told me last week that the best way to sort out an argument is to talk it through and ask adults for help in difficult situations. Words like that don't often make the newspapers, but young people are beginning to make a stand for what is right in the places that matter; the classrooms, the playgrounds, and the streets.