Using creative interventions to tackle youth violence
Last year over 10,000 crimes committed across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight involved children & young people under the age of 19. 50% of young people reported they have witnessed or been involved in youth violence (PAC) (see the old news story/resource)
Choices is an innovative programme supporting young people to explore the challenges they might face growing up, empowering them to make positive choices in a complex and ever changing world and reducing their risk of being drawn into dangerous situations or exploitation. Taking place in primary school classrooms with children aged 10 – 12 and school staff, Choices uses theatre techniques and interactive storytelling, in a trauma-informed approach developed using the voices of young people with lived experience of violence.
With Choices, the children become the experts.
We decided that we would work with Winchester prison and for those 18-25 yr olds to be able to look back at their lives when they were 10/11 and think; what were those moments they could have changed? What were those moments that led them to where they are now? They got to contribute to the stories of Joe and Buddy – the characters are them at that moment in their lives.
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. The use of metaphor in the Choices approach allows young people to access the material at whatever level their lived experience allows them to.
“By pulling it up on its feet it stores it somewhere else in our brain that hopefully people will be able to back to and go; ‘I remember this, I’ve been here’ and it becomes a muscle memory rather than something we’ve heard.” – Kate Hadley, Creative Director of BearFace Theatre
I've changed my way of thinking, a lot
So far we have worked with 7000 pupils – 100% now feel able to identify a trusted adult.
Out of the 400 school staff who participated, 91% feel more knowledgeable and confident using creative techniques to address youth violence
Choices is commissioned by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Violence Reduction Unit and delivered by Artswork in partnership with BearFace Theatre. It is running from September 2023 to March 2026 across Hampshire & Isle of Wight.
Read more about Choices:
Contact us about Choices
For more information please contact Angela Goswell, Schools Violence Reduction Coordinator AngelaGoswell@artswork.org.uk