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Here at the Foundation, we remain acutely aware of the wider challenges facing our communities and the impact these can have on young people.

With this in mind, our Head of Education and Social Inclusion, Emilie Harbottle, together with our Youth Counsellor, Wellbeing and Safeguarding Lead, Dawn Bere, delivered a PolEd workshop on knife crime for students on our Engage programme, emphasising the risks and dangers associated with carrying knives.

During the session, students took part in an eye-opening practical demonstration using water and red food colouring to simulate how much blood the human body contains and the risks involved if someone were to receive a stab wound. This hands-on approach helped bring the realities of knife crime to life and reinforced the serious consequences in an engaging and memorable way, and it allowed our team to support young people in exploring these challenging topics in a safe and respectful environment. They also discussed why someone may carry a knife and the dangers of doing so.

We understand that initiating conversations about knife crime can feel challenging, and finding the right words is not always easy. 

To help with this, and with the guidance of our good friend Dean Coady OBE, we are sharing a practical ‘conversation crib sheet’ for anyone looking to start discussions about knife crime and personal safety with young people.

By using dialogue, building trust, and providing factual information, we can empower young people to resist peer pressure, make safer choices, and engage with opportunities that offer hope and positive outcomes. Knife crime is a serious issue, but through education, awareness, and open communication, we can give young people the tools to choose safety over risk.