Communities Against Gangs, Guns and Knives Project (C.A.G.G.K)
Young people from the Woodthorpe area of Sheffield are taking part in a Home Office funded project called UR Choice or No Choice which encourages youngsters to shy away from gangs and the cultures that destroy communities. The project which is backed by South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Futures was developed to “give young people the tools” to steer them away from getting involved in the gang scene where knives, guns and drugs often blight the lives of young people in our communities.
Youngsters involved in the pilot programme have taken part in a whole range of workshops including “In 2 Change” based around prison life, self-defence workshops, alcohol and drug advice sessions and the Point 7 workshop which educates young people about dangers of carrying weapons. The group have produced a hard hitting survey that is being used to build up a picture of young people’s perceptions of gang culture in Sheffield. The survey is being taken into schools and youth clubs across area to give young people an opportunity to contribute to the project. The results of this will be released at an event at the end of March to reveal how gang culture affects the lives of young people in the area.
The final part of the project involves staging a drama based around young people and knives and the consequences that being part of a gang can have on the lives of young people and their families.
A further project is being developed for the next financial year which will build on the success of the current programme.
For more information about “UR Choice or No Choice” or the project for next year please contact Ryszard on 0114 265 4165 or email ryszard@woodthorpedt.co.uk
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