Straight Out the Scheme: Youth Work Resource

The resource pack comprises a number of creative resources which can be used by practitioners to carry out sessions with young people on issues related to youth violence. The resources have been created with young people in Glasgow who themselves are affected by violence. This creative co-design project was undertaken as part of an academic research project called Public Health Youth Violence Reduction (PHYVR). You can find out more about the research by visiting the website: https://changingviolence.org

The resource is designed to be used both in preventative, awareness-raising work and as part of interventions with young people for whom violence is already a feature of their lives, and who may be coming into conflict with the law as a result.

The resources promote exploration and discussion of issues underlying youth violence, as well as the direct consequences of youth violence for young people and those closest to them. The intention is to generate open, curious and respectful dialogue with young people, about their lives and any change they would like to see.

The resource was made in collaboration with a group of young men affected by violence who call themselves the Wise Men. As a group they have experienced violence at first hand and how much it can change your life and the people you love most.

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The Resource Pack

The resource pack is made up of four creative resources, each accompanied by a session plan, providing guidance about the content and suggested activities to accompany the resource. The resources are designed to be used by anyone working with young people in both educational and community settings.

The resources can be used either as one-off topic specific sessions, or used together drawing on a range of central themes linked to the issue of youth violence, including social media, substance misuse, relationships and making change.

All young people are different, and it’s likely that every group of young people will need some adjustments to the session plans, dependent on their particular needs, interests, strengths and vulnerabilities. However, these resources have been designed broadly with young people aged 12+ in mind.

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The Wise Men meet Graeme Armstrong

Pain In My Life

Pain In My Life was written and recorded by the Wise Men. It tells the story of their daily lives, sharing some of the stresses and challenges they face - including the threat of violence, and the impact of this on them and the people closest to them.

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Roll With It Board Game

‘Roll With It’ is a board game made by the Wise Men, aimed at younger children who may be experiencing the peer pressure and risk taking behaviour associated with their age and stage. It is a fun and creative resource that uses the format of a game to highlight the challenges that some young people face as they move through life, as well as things that can be supportive and helpful in overcoming these challenges and achieving your goals.

The game includes the trap of ‘Charge’ cards which detail real-life scenarios of criminal charges, with the intention of prompting discussion about young people’s interactions with the police and understanding of the law. More details of the game are in the resource pack.

Young Warriors Podcast Clips & Questions for Schools

London: Stereotypes and Positive Youth Culture

Clip 1a. Razak

RISE365 is a community youth project that aims to inspire, support and empower young people. Have you ever been involved in a project that does these things? How did they do this?
Razak talks about how important Jocelyn was for him in terms of joining RISE because she is a leader. Do you have any figures in your life you look up to or consider to be ‘leaders’? What qualities should a good leader have?

Clip 1b. Amina

In the girls’ circle time, Amina says that anything can be shared, including grief. Would you imagine sharing something as personal as grief during circle time? If not, what do you think you would share?
Amina talks about the positive benefits of volunteering instead of bed-rotting and social media. Have you ever volunteered, and how did it make you feel?

Manchester: Creativity and Control

Clip 2a. K

K says she sometimes finds it hard to express her feelings, but it come naturally when writing lyrics. What ways do you find useful to express your feelings?
K’s rap is based on the idea of ‘where I’m from.’ What is one object, place, or food, that would express where you are from ?
Based on this, create a short rap, poem, or song using the same title, telling the story of your life in your own words.

Clip 2b. Akemia

How do adults in your lives think about the music that you listen to? Do you think they understand it – and should they?
Akemia is talking about the use of rap and drill music in legal courtrooms, to suggest young people are violent or gang members. Do you think that lyrics should be used in this way?

Dundee: Gangs, Fashion and Identity

Clip 3a. Gary

Gary’s poem is about territorial youth gangs in the housing estates of Dundee in the 1970s. Are there groups of young people that hang about where you live?
Write a short poem about the groups of young people that you know about. Try to build an image of them for the reader. What do they wear? What music do they listen to? What makes them identifiable?

Clip 3b. Gary

Gary talks about the history of youth groups in Dundee, and some of the causes. Why do you think young people join gangs?
Gary talks about the police trying to stop fights by turning hoses onto groups of young people. Do you think this is the right way to respond?

Cardiff: Trusted Adults and Youth-Led Change

Clip 4a. Molly

Molly says that when she was looked at as a criminal, she decided to act like one. Have you ever been labelled? How did it make you feel?
Draw a picture with some of the labels that might be attached to you by adults, and use colour to show how this feels.

Clip 4b. Steph

Steph talks about the importance of listening to young people and avoiding labels. Do you have a trusted adult that listens to you? Who is it?
Steph says that everyone deserves a second chance. Do you agree?

Birmingham: Knife Crime and Labels

Clip 5a. Ben

List five uses for a sharp knife that don’t involve violence.
Ben is talking about an exhibition where knives have been turned into jewellery. If you were to turn a knife into something else, what would it be?

Clip 5b. Gabe and Ali

Gabe and Ali talk about politicians being out of touch with the realities of young people who carry knives. Do you agree?
Why do you think people carry knives, and what can we do to persuade them not to?

Glasgow: Safe Spaces and Natural Highs

Clip 6a. Emily

What positive and negative stereotypes of young people does Emily talk about?
Emily talks about the different perceptions of young people wearing hoodies. Have you ever put your hood up to block out the world?

Clip 6b. Kyle

G20 do a lot of work with young people in the outdoors. Is there somewhere out of doors that you have been that made you feel good, or safe?
Kyle talks about his experience overcoming obstacles. Draw a mountain and write down some of the obstacles that young people might need to overcome.

Young Warriors Podcast

Young people are often demonised on the street, but what happens if we look beyond the stereotypes and listen to what they can teach us instead? In this podcast series Professor Ali Fraser delves deep into street culture and learns about the power of youth-led change across the UK.

Full episodes here