We are offering the changing lanez project to work in partnership with schools, youth provisions and external agencies to engage children/YP (young people) at risk of gang affiliation, grooming, criminal or sexual exploitation. To support them to identify the early signs of being targeted/groomed through coercion. Empowering through innovative workshops based around spoken words/poetry, music, dance, and drama. There is an emergence of children being targeted from the age of 9 years old to be used as drug runners and criminally exploited/trafficked for the purpose of county lines. For this reason, the first half of this project acts as an early intervention (aged 9-13) programme and the second half as a diversionary programme (aged 14-19). Alongside the project we will offer a package support plan of one to one intensive key work to support YP to become EET (Employment, Education and Training) ready and progress into positive outcomes.

What we'll deliver:

• Early intervention workshops will divert children from being criminally/sexually exploited
• Providing young people with opportunities and supporting them to become EET ready.
• Educating young people and children with the tools to make a positive contribution, and create safer communities
• Supporting young people to manage conflict, resolution and trauma through therapeutic workshops through creative arts.
• Engage YP and children/families to utilise specialist services to support them overcome barriers to progression

Why it's a great idea:

We aim to tackle the knife and gang crime epidemic in London .This has had devastating consequences in many communities throughout London. We believe we have the skills, knowledge and first hand experience to engage young people most at risk through developing solution focused innovative and ground-breaking workshops. To empower and educate disenfranchised groups of YP to not become a product of their environment and to make positive life choices. We believe our project will contribute to the reduction of crime rates, and help the economy to support YP into EET and help children to make more informed decisions at the most vulnerable stages of their lives. We are targeting highly affected areas that are entrenched in gang activity, to divert and engage children as an early intervention tool. Currently, there is a gap in the provision provided for children at risk of gang/criminal exploitation which is the root of the problem.

Steps to get it done:

• Securing office/ work space
• Partnering/ networking with external agencies to provide a package support plan for young people
• Getting referrals of the targeted group from partnering agencies (e.g schools, social services, YOT, youth clubs)
• Delivering the programme in allocated area
• Identifying the needs of YP through intensive one to one key work and making the relevant referalls
• Supporting YP to become EET (Education, Employment and Training) ready, and develop skills through workshops.