This reminds a lot of my days as a youth worker in Brighton which of course is not on the scale of London or Glasgow but where I got to know many young people who felt they had to go along with the culture of crime because they at least could keep themselves safe if they formed a crew or a gang of their own… also the music they were listening to as well as the films and tv programs they were watching all in my view only encouraged them to continue down that road which inevitably led to much chaos and destruction and to kissing goodbye to any innocence they might otherwise have had.
Massive respect to Lisa for her incredible efforts to do something about these growing problems in our society.. it is down to honorable decent folk to roll up their sleeves and to attempt to come up with solutions as it seems the government have other concerns, the police are becoming less and less helpful and of course engaging worth the police actually puts those young people in potentially more danger than they are already in and so it is understandable that they don’t reach out.
Enough said! Great interview and I have the utmost respect for what Lisa is and has been doing for the sake of the youth!
“The reality is so shocking, it makes me wonder what more do people have to see or hear about, to actually come together.”
It sometimes seems that there’s a line, and on one side are the people denying there’s a problem, or knowing there’s a problem, but just shaking their heads sadly, tut-tutting, or enumerating reasons why, very unfortunately, the problem can’t be solved.
On the other side of the line are the people who have become so aware of the enormity and scale of the problem that they can’t bear not to act anymore.
And there are brilliant people, like Lisa, who manage to get others to step over that line and into action or even activism. The fact that activism is a dirty word to some people I think points to the British embarrassment of being fully committed to making change happen, and also our irritation at having our inadequate responses to the big problems pointed out. It can take a huge shove for people to get over that line. I’m thinking Bob Geldof here, and his refusal to let both the public and the Prime Minister off the hook.
With something as horrendous as knife crime, there is a great reluctance to accept that it can really be happening, in spite of the heaping evidence. James LaFond writes (somewhere in his vast repertoire) that street fights are really weird in the UK because people are so sure weapons are not going to be involved. I think that that mentality is really entrenched and there’s a vast unwillingness to accept the situation as it now is. “Reality is an acquired taste” as they say.
Are you aware of MusicWorks in Gloucestershire? Providing inclusive, low-cost access to recording studios and courses to the youth, with a new purpose-built facility in Gloucester: https://www.themusicworks.org.uk/
They say "The Music Works is a Gloucester based charity that exists to transform the lives of young people through music. The Music Works' Hub in Gloucester is an inclusive, community music studio, designed by young people, for young people. The Hub is a brand new facility in Kings Square and the first of its kind in Gloucester. It is a space for you to connect, collaborate and create the music you want with the chance to meet other like-minded creatives”. They have a studio in Stroud, too, at the Old Convent in Beeches Green.
Very inspiring to read this first instalment, and really looking forward to hearing more.
I'm sure that there will be people who don't see this issue as a "self defence" issue per say. I believe this to be very short sighted in outlook.
I agree with you about James LaFond's views about the assumption of fair fighting - at least in a great many areas and it 'll take a long time for some to catch up to the modern truth of what is happening. Some will even shout "don't want to hear this!" loudly with hands over ears - and I'm familiar with this through my own work where training that references this problem is perceived (at least locally) in a very negative light to be honest.
Even if a person were just to look at there own safety alone, this problem will eventually become a factor to consider as they age and are seen as easy pickings on the food chain for increasingly violent young criminals (unless they're lucky to live a wealthy, detached life and many will soon no longer enjoy that, even if they currently are) - these problems don't stay in certain groups but spread if left unchecked.
If you have a family, this problem becomes something of direct concern every time a young member of the family leaves the house. It would seem to be tactically smart to pre-empt a spreading problem by helping to put something in place to raise the chances of saving life - this is achievable and importantly is achievable by the local community themselves rather than looking to someone else constantly to solve things for them.
That seems to be the way things go - the problem seems to be relatively small in its scope and to affect other people until it becomes widespread enough to affect you, and then it’s a bit late!
I absolutely agree that it’s at the community level that the most effective changes take place, and relying on Government (especially this one) to provide any sort of solutions is very unwise.
Thank you 😘😘💖👑🤗 Yes its certainly true that there’s that fine line between denial and taking action x I’ve found along the way you give some people solutions they give you their perspective of the problems with these solutions x with regards to Uk street fights its so true people really don’t think that someone will pull out a knife on them even though it’s happening all the time & more frequent it’s crazy
Wow thank you so much for letting me know about The Music Works I’ve checked their website out and it looks absolutely amazing what they do & I will be promoting them 💯💯
That’s great, I think the Music Works are making a real difference.
I do some work with The City Farm, in Gloucester (mostly teaching staff and volunteers about communicating with horses) and I think this is another valuable resource, and unusual, especially in its location. It is tiny, but a real haven.
When we had the facilities, we did a modest amount of work with young people/offenders and “horse whispering”.
This generally works on the principle that horses respond honestly to what you are putting out to them, and that because you can’t communicate with them verbally, meaningfully, you become more aware of body language, intention, and your own state. Also, because many people (even or maybe especially “tough” people) are afraid of them, it opens up discussions around fears and vulnerabilities.
We had private owners at our yard, though, and they could be twitchy about who came on site, understandably, especially as knife attacks on horses are a thing.
My very good friend and colleague is involved in this project:
I love Horses they really fascinate me and what you’re saying about them responding to what you put out Thats sounds so amazing xxx your work at City Farm and the strength and learning through horses project are incredible & will definitely be promoting all of this . We do also support a couple of other initiatives you can check out @theurbanequest @ueasouthlondon
Yes, horses are very sensitive to intention and conflict, and they choose avoidance over most other things! I don’t think they can “see into your soul” or anything, but when people are rejected by a horse and think it means the horse has decided they are evil, it opens up the possibility of a lot of discussion.
I’ll check out those other initiatives.
If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods, we run a natural herd in a hidden valley and it’s a very special place, would love to introduce you to the horses and explain a bit of what we do.
That is all so interesting & something I would love to learn more about ❤️thank you for your kind invitation x yes if I’m ever down your way i would love that , it would be absolutely awesome to be introduced to the horses and visit the hidden valley sounds so amazing
This reminds a lot of my days as a youth worker in Brighton which of course is not on the scale of London or Glasgow but where I got to know many young people who felt they had to go along with the culture of crime because they at least could keep themselves safe if they formed a crew or a gang of their own… also the music they were listening to as well as the films and tv programs they were watching all in my view only encouraged them to continue down that road which inevitably led to much chaos and destruction and to kissing goodbye to any innocence they might otherwise have had.
Massive respect to Lisa for her incredible efforts to do something about these growing problems in our society.. it is down to honorable decent folk to roll up their sleeves and to attempt to come up with solutions as it seems the government have other concerns, the police are becoming less and less helpful and of course engaging worth the police actually puts those young people in potentially more danger than they are already in and so it is understandable that they don’t reach out.
Enough said! Great interview and I have the utmost respect for what Lisa is and has been doing for the sake of the youth!
Amazing work!
Underwolfe
Bless you & thank you ❤️big up to you too for your youth work in Brighton that could nt have been easy x
“The reality is so shocking, it makes me wonder what more do people have to see or hear about, to actually come together.”
It sometimes seems that there’s a line, and on one side are the people denying there’s a problem, or knowing there’s a problem, but just shaking their heads sadly, tut-tutting, or enumerating reasons why, very unfortunately, the problem can’t be solved.
On the other side of the line are the people who have become so aware of the enormity and scale of the problem that they can’t bear not to act anymore.
And there are brilliant people, like Lisa, who manage to get others to step over that line and into action or even activism. The fact that activism is a dirty word to some people I think points to the British embarrassment of being fully committed to making change happen, and also our irritation at having our inadequate responses to the big problems pointed out. It can take a huge shove for people to get over that line. I’m thinking Bob Geldof here, and his refusal to let both the public and the Prime Minister off the hook.
With something as horrendous as knife crime, there is a great reluctance to accept that it can really be happening, in spite of the heaping evidence. James LaFond writes (somewhere in his vast repertoire) that street fights are really weird in the UK because people are so sure weapons are not going to be involved. I think that that mentality is really entrenched and there’s a vast unwillingness to accept the situation as it now is. “Reality is an acquired taste” as they say.
Are you aware of MusicWorks in Gloucestershire? Providing inclusive, low-cost access to recording studios and courses to the youth, with a new purpose-built facility in Gloucester: https://www.themusicworks.org.uk/
They say "The Music Works is a Gloucester based charity that exists to transform the lives of young people through music. The Music Works' Hub in Gloucester is an inclusive, community music studio, designed by young people, for young people. The Hub is a brand new facility in Kings Square and the first of its kind in Gloucester. It is a space for you to connect, collaborate and create the music you want with the chance to meet other like-minded creatives”. They have a studio in Stroud, too, at the Old Convent in Beeches Green.
Very inspiring to read this first instalment, and really looking forward to hearing more.
I'm sure that there will be people who don't see this issue as a "self defence" issue per say. I believe this to be very short sighted in outlook.
I agree with you about James LaFond's views about the assumption of fair fighting - at least in a great many areas and it 'll take a long time for some to catch up to the modern truth of what is happening. Some will even shout "don't want to hear this!" loudly with hands over ears - and I'm familiar with this through my own work where training that references this problem is perceived (at least locally) in a very negative light to be honest.
Even if a person were just to look at there own safety alone, this problem will eventually become a factor to consider as they age and are seen as easy pickings on the food chain for increasingly violent young criminals (unless they're lucky to live a wealthy, detached life and many will soon no longer enjoy that, even if they currently are) - these problems don't stay in certain groups but spread if left unchecked.
If you have a family, this problem becomes something of direct concern every time a young member of the family leaves the house. It would seem to be tactically smart to pre-empt a spreading problem by helping to put something in place to raise the chances of saving life - this is achievable and importantly is achievable by the local community themselves rather than looking to someone else constantly to solve things for them.
That seems to be the way things go - the problem seems to be relatively small in its scope and to affect other people until it becomes widespread enough to affect you, and then it’s a bit late!
I absolutely agree that it’s at the community level that the most effective changes take place, and relying on Government (especially this one) to provide any sort of solutions is very unwise.
Thank you 😘😘💖👑🤗 Yes its certainly true that there’s that fine line between denial and taking action x I’ve found along the way you give some people solutions they give you their perspective of the problems with these solutions x with regards to Uk street fights its so true people really don’t think that someone will pull out a knife on them even though it’s happening all the time & more frequent it’s crazy
Wow thank you so much for letting me know about The Music Works I’ve checked their website out and it looks absolutely amazing what they do & I will be promoting them 💯💯
That’s great, I think the Music Works are making a real difference.
I do some work with The City Farm, in Gloucester (mostly teaching staff and volunteers about communicating with horses) and I think this is another valuable resource, and unusual, especially in its location. It is tiny, but a real haven.
When we had the facilities, we did a modest amount of work with young people/offenders and “horse whispering”.
This generally works on the principle that horses respond honestly to what you are putting out to them, and that because you can’t communicate with them verbally, meaningfully, you become more aware of body language, intention, and your own state. Also, because many people (even or maybe especially “tough” people) are afraid of them, it opens up discussions around fears and vulnerabilities.
We had private owners at our yard, though, and they could be twitchy about who came on site, understandably, especially as knife attacks on horses are a thing.
My very good friend and colleague is involved in this project:
https://strengthandlearningthroughhorses.org/blog/thameside-prison-project, which you might find interesting.
I love Horses they really fascinate me and what you’re saying about them responding to what you put out Thats sounds so amazing xxx your work at City Farm and the strength and learning through horses project are incredible & will definitely be promoting all of this . We do also support a couple of other initiatives you can check out @theurbanequest @ueasouthlondon
Yes, horses are very sensitive to intention and conflict, and they choose avoidance over most other things! I don’t think they can “see into your soul” or anything, but when people are rejected by a horse and think it means the horse has decided they are evil, it opens up the possibility of a lot of discussion.
I’ll check out those other initiatives.
If you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods, we run a natural herd in a hidden valley and it’s a very special place, would love to introduce you to the horses and explain a bit of what we do.
That is all so interesting & something I would love to learn more about ❤️thank you for your kind invitation x yes if I’m ever down your way i would love that , it would be absolutely awesome to be introduced to the horses and visit the hidden valley sounds so amazing