‘We All Have To Play A Part In Stopping Knife Crime’.

Shirley Jackson from Youth Unity has worked tirelessly all her life to support youths in Havering and across London. Not only has she achieved outstanding results, but her work and dedication has seen many former gang members reform and completely turn their life around.

Shirley and her business partner work with many youths, including gang members here in Havering, specifically across Romford and Harold Hill where they help youngsters engage in endless activities that removes them from a life of crime.

“It’s people that kill people, not knives,” she tells the Havering Daily. “Education is vital in stopping knife crime. Social media plays a huge part in this also. Snapchat and Instagram, all these outlets can fuel knife crime. We must also remember that covid played its part in messing up the lives of many of these teenagers. They were kept indoors for months on end which made a big impact on their mental health.A lot of youths suffered during the covid restrictions and this is rarely acknowledged.

“Stopping knife crime means stopping a mindset and education is vital for that.We spend our time telling these youths that they are no good and that impacts them and they start to believe it. It is time we change that narrative and start to work with them and help them turn their lives around.”

Shirley is based in Romford, along the arches by Romford station where she has built a hub that allows youths to pop along and engage in activities such as music, hosting podcasts and talking to each other when they need support.

“We have mentoring as well that is vital for so many of these youths. It gives them someone to talk to and to be there for them.

“Knife crime has many layers, it is not straight forward and needs a whole community approach. We must remember that many of these youths are scared and often live in fear. That is why we must work in the heart of the community to help change things for our youth.

“We work in the local area to help young people stay away from crime and build a positive life for themselves. We have also shown that mentoring our youth, has fantastic results.

“We are very thankful for the support of Havering Council and the London Violence Reduction Unit.”

Shirley and the team at Youth Unity provide an incredible service for youths across Havering and east London, and their work has helped endless youngsters stay clear of a life of crime and build a future for themselves.

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