Choices programme
An innovative programme commissioned by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Violence Reduction Unit and delivered by Artswork in partnership with BearFace Theatre, Choices uses creative techniques to help young people navigate the challenges they are facing in their lives.
Table of Contents
Approach
Recent research (Children, Violence and Vulnerability, Youth Endowment Fund, 2022) shows that 39% of young people have either been victims of or witnessed violence, while 55% have seen real-life acts of violence on social media. Choices takes a trauma-informed approach to address these challenges, focusing on developing critical decision-making skills and understanding healthy relationships.
Using a range of materials, developed using the voices of young people with lived experience of violence, Choices examines the risks and impact of knife crime and the dangers of exploitation and other violence.
Choices is running from September 2023 to July 2025, with young people aged 10 – 12 and school staff.
The programme consists of two key components:
Staff training
Teachers receive training in flexible, creative approaches to learning that help develop pupils' cognitive, critical, and problem-solving skills. The training equips staff to adapt programme materials to meet their pupils' specific needs.
Student workshops
Pupils participate in two Forum Theatre workshops which are designed to allow pupils the opportunity to "rehearse for change." The workshops encourage active participation as the pupils try different strategies to solve the challenges presented, “rehearsing” for change and stimulating debate and shared understanding. These sessions also examine the causes and impact of violence from multiple perspectives including both victim and perpetrator, while exploring healthy relationships and positive choices.
Programme reach
Choices is set to engage over 90 schools and more than 7,700 pupils across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, delivering sessions for both children and staff.
Feedback from school staff:
Very informative with different ideas to support critical thinking, empathy, problem solving.
Informative and innovative. It really changed the way I think about approaching these topics with students.
What a refreshing and effective approach to support young people with the learning journey.
Contact us about Choices
For more information please contact Angela Goswell, Schools Violence Reduction Coordinator AngelaGoswell@artswork.org.uk
