Manchester: No More Knives Tour Visits Saint Paul's

No More Knives session with St Paul's students

Students from Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester took part in some thought-provoking and extremely valuable sessions with The Message Trust's No More Knives tour.

Knife crime and the devastating impact it has on lives is never far from the headlines. Something must change, which is why Saint Paul's got involved with The Message Trust's No More Knives tour to show young people there is another way.

Combining music with powerful stories and teaching, The Message Trust delivered sessions that equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to say no to knives and start to discover their full value and identity.

The next step in their awareness and prevention strategy is for The Message Trust to invite students along to a concert by the bands they've met in school and featuring guest speakers including Mark Bracewell, former gang member. And all this is done in partnership with the local police force and Redeeming Our Communities.

The primary objective of The Message Trust's No More Knives tour is to educate children and young people on the consequences of knife crime. Enabling them an informed choice and encouraging them to understand personal responsibility and embrace positive diversionary alternatives, including recreational and vocational activity.

Ms Sherilyn Hitchen, from Saint Paul's, explained: "It is often the choices young people make during their formative years that decide the path they take through life and we want to ensure that they have the information they need to make proper informed decisions and that they can recognise and avoid exploitation and stay safe."

"The day provided some extremely valuable messages and the students were left with a greater sense of personal power and with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize and survive the many challenges ahead of them."

"The No Knives crime sessions were designed to capture the attention of our students and ensure that they were fully engaged in the sessions," commented Mr Alex Hren, Head Teacher at Saint Paul's. "We need to do everything we can to support and protect the next generation."

LINK

Saint Paul's Catholic High School: www.st-paulshigh.net