Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit visited the Beacon of Light this week as they delivered a session to Foundation of Light participants raising awareness around the impact and consequences of knife crime.
Our YOLO and NCS participants took part in the activity, where they were given an opportunity to use virtual reality headsets, in which they were immersed in real-life scenarios while learning and discussing the devastating impact of knife crime in a safe environment.
"It would be great for all young people to try. It teaches you to never pick up a knife because if you do, you will ruin lives", said a Foundation participant.
Lee Crosby, Head of Youth & Community Education at the Foundation added: "The session really got the young people thinking and talking about knife crime and the impact that it has. From the victim and their family, to the perpetrator and their family. I think all the young people that took part in the workshop left knowing how a bad decision in a split moment can ruin lives and have serious consequences for everyone involved.”
BBC were also in attendance at the ultimate community hub, with the national broadcaster filming the session as part of a documentary. Titled 'We are England', the filming that took place at the Beacon is a follow up of the original documentary where it followed the work of a vascular surgeon from Middlesbrough Hospital.
With Cleveland having recently received funding for a Violence Reduction Unit as part of the programme, they also wanted to showcase what Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit does to educate young people on the dangers of knife crime.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness commented: "We want to ensure all young people in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear have access to such important education, that they understand the impact and consequences of their actions and to make positive choices for the future."
The documentary is set to air later this year, with a confirmed date expected to be announced soon.
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