S.T.F.U (Stop The Fighting & Unite)

The environment

* 12 young men engaged * 11 workshops delivered * Music and media skills developed * Mentoring and positive role models provided * Increased awareness of the consequences of violence * Stronger community partnerships established * Ongoing support pathways created for participants * Project delivery significantly affected by COVID-19 restrictions, preventing completion of planned filming and screening activities within the original timeframe.

The local economy

The project contributed to the local economy by investing funding directly into local creative practitioners, mentors, facilitators and suppliers. We employed Leicester-based artists, musicians and community mentors to deliver workshops and support participants, helping to sustain freelance creative employment within the city. The project also introduced participants to potential career pathways within the creative industries, including music production, media, film and events. By developing new skills, confidence and employability, the project helped increase participants’ ability to access future education, training and employment opportunities. Where possible, project spending was directed towards local venues, services and suppliers, ensuring that funding remained within the Leicester economy. Participants also travelled into the city centre to attend sessions, increasing engagement with local businesses and cultural spaces. Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the completion of the planned public screening event, the project still generated economic value through the employment of local creatives, investment in skills development and support for Leicester’s wider cultural and creative sector. The knowledge, experience and confidence gained by participants has continued to benefit both individuals and the local community beyond the lifetime of the project.

Volunteering, jobs & education

The project increased opportunities for education, skills development and progression by engaging young men who may otherwise have faced barriers to training, employment or positive community involvement. Participants gained practical experience in music production, recording, media creation, storytelling and project development, while also developing transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, confidence and self-discipline. These skills are valuable across a wide range of employment and education pathways. The project provided mentoring from experienced creative professionals and community leaders, helping participants explore future opportunities in education, training and employment. Through regular engagement with positive role models, participants were encouraged to set goals, consider alternative career paths and make informed decisions about their futures. The project also created paid opportunities for local mentors, facilitators and creative practitioners who delivered workshops and support sessions. In addition, relationships developed through the programme helped connect participants to further opportunities within the creative and community sectors, with several participants continuing to engage with education, training or additional support programmes after the project ended. While COVID-19 restrictions prevented completion of the final documentary and screening event, the project successfully delivered learning, mentoring and personal development opportunities that increased participants’ confidence, skills and readiness for further education, volunteering and employment.

Arts, culture & heritage

The project supported arts and culture by providing young people with opportunities to engage in music, film and creative expression who may not otherwise have accessed these activities. Participants were introduced to the creative process from concept development through to music production, storytelling and media creation, helping them develop both artistic skills and confidence in their own voices and experiences. The project used arts and culture as a tool for education, prevention and community engagement, enabling participants to explore important social issues through creative practice. By creating original music and contributing to the development of a documentary focused on the consequences of violence, participants were able to share their perspectives and experiences in a constructive and meaningful way. The project also supported Leicester’s cultural sector by engaging local artists, musicians and creative practitioners as mentors and facilitators. Through this work, participants developed a greater understanding of the opportunities available within the creative industries and their role within Leicester’s wider cultural community.

Activity, health and leisure

The project promoted positive wellbeing, education and safer lifestyle choices by providing young people with a safe and supportive environment where they could engage in creative activities while exploring the real-life consequences of violence and knife crime. Through music, media and mentoring sessions, participants took part in discussions around personal safety, decision making, conflict resolution and the impact that serious violence can have on victims, families, communities and offenders themselves. Guest speakers with lived experience shared their stories, helping participants better understand the risks and long-term consequences associated with carrying weapons or becoming involved in criminal activity. The creative element of the project encouraged participants to express themselves in positive ways, improve their mental wellbeing and build confidence through music and filmmaking. Working together on the documentary concept provided opportunities to challenge harmful attitudes, increase awareness and promote positive messages amongst peers. The project also reduced social isolation by bringing participants together to develop new skills, build supportive relationships and engage in constructive leisure activities. By combining creativity, mentoring and anti-knife crime education, the project helped participants make more informed choices, develop greater resilience and consider positive alternatives to violence and offending behaviour.