Barca-Leeds are proud to be a part of Project Shield, the city-wide partnership working to tackle serious youth violence. The partnership brings together West Yorkshire Police, the Youth Justice Service, Crimestoppers, Leeds City Council, Barca-Leeds and other youth providers.
Coinciding with the arrival of the Knife Angel, a 27ft tall sculpture made from over 100,000 confiscated or surrendered blades, throughout February we have been targeting discussions on knife crime with the young people we support.
The Knife Angel was created by the British Ironwork Centre to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour and the need for change. It features messages from families of victims of knife crime and acts as a striking memorial designed to celebrate those lives who have been lost.
Alongside partners a combination of activities, based at the Knife Angel location and in communities, were offered to young people and their parents. Several of our youth groups visited the Knife Angel, to start conversations, educate and raise awareness of knife crime.
Project Shield partners organised 4 parent sessions throughout February in different locations around Leeds. With a focus on supporting parents on how to approach conversations at home about keeping their children and young people safe from knife crime. Barca-Leeds are proud to host one of the West Leeds parent sessions at Broadlea Community Centre in Bramley.
To further support and continue engagement in the coming months, our Targeted Youth Workers attended a virtual reality (VR) training session with partners focused on how this immersive tool can be used to start conversations with young people about knife crime.
Here’s what Ella, Lead Practitioner for Targeted Youth Work at Barca-Leeds said about the VR tools:
