Every day, young lives are lost to knife crime — and we refuse to accept that as normal. Our UK youth programme goes into London’s schools to give young people the knowledge, the confidence and the trusted adults they need to make safer choices.
Through the One Decision workshops, the Champion Builders mentoring programme and the Consent Culture Crash Course, we are standing on the frontline for our young people — before it’s too late.
Figures from The Jarrett Foundation Impact Report 2024, based on post-session evaluations with students and teachers.
“We have seen firsthand that knife crime is preventable when young people receive the right guidance. But we can’t do it alone.”
The need is urgent. Many of the young people we work with have lost loved ones to violence, and others were considering carrying a weapon before they ever walked into one of our sessions. That is why education alone is not enough — and why we built a programme that stays with young people long after the workshop ends.
With Safer School Officers at risk of being cut, our role in bridging the gap between young people and the police is more critical than ever. We need partners, funders and individuals to help us reach further. Together, we can save lives, change futures and make our communities safer.
Speaking to the students, it was clear that parachuting in and leaving again was nowhere near enough. What they needed was ongoing support in a safe place — so that is what we built.
Our anti-knife crime workshop, sponsored by Tesco and administered by Groundwork. Real-life stories from victims and offenders show young people how quickly one bad decision can become a life-altering one. Many schools were nominated by police officers.
“Crafting Character, Creating Futures.” A six-week mentoring programme for Years 8 to 11, match-funded by the Metropolitan Police, giving at-risk young people structured, ongoing support and guidance.
“A Guide to Respectful Relationships.” Our youth relationship workshops for schools, created for Years 9 to 11, helping young people understand consent and build healthy, respectful relationships with one another.
Before we arrive, we work closely with each school to understand any recent incidents of violence, gang activity or tragedies that may affect how students feel on the day. That care allows us to deliver sessions that are sensitive, personal and truly resonate.
The true success of the programme shows in how young people think and act afterwards. Many who once saw carrying a knife as “self-protection” now understand it actually puts them at greater risk.
46% of students said they had never discussed knife crime before the workshop, and 38% personally knew someone who had been affected by it.
Our sessions create a space where officers can meet young people in an educational setting rather than a law-enforcement one — and the difference that makes is remarkable.
of teachers said the programme improved relationships between their students and the police.
of students would now feel more comfortable reporting concerns about knife crime to a trusted adult or police officer.
of students asked for follow-up sessions or mentoring — young people want more of this.
When young people see police officers as allies rather than adversaries, they are far less likely to become involved in criminal activity.
With Safer School Officers being reduced, many schools risk losing an essential layer of safeguarding and crime-prevention support.
That leaves students more vulnerable to exploitation by gangs and to being drawn into dangerous social circles. Our programme steps into that space, giving schools a trusted partner and giving young people somewhere safe to turn.
Practical ways to recognise recruitment tactics and say no with confidence.
A deeper understanding of how carrying a knife increases the risk of becoming a victim.
Room for young people to share their fears honestly, without judgement.
89% of teachers said the workshop sparked important discussions in their school.
The One Decision workshop changes perceptions, reduces risk and, ultimately, saves lives.
Before today, I didn’t think carrying a knife was a big deal. I thought it was just for protection. But after hearing those stories, I see how easy it is to ruin your life in one minute.
I didn’t trust the police before, but hearing the officer speak today made me see that they actually care about keeping us safe.
I lost my cousin to knife crime last year, and I’ve never been able to talk about it in school before. This session made me feel like people actually care about stopping this.
The numbers, the stories and the feedback all point to one undeniable truth: One Decision is a deeply impactful youth intervention. With Safer School Officers being withdrawn, it is more important than ever to sustain and grow this work. Your support will help us:
