Group: Wycombe Youth Action
Project: Knife Crime & Youth Violence Prevention Programme
Grant: £10,000
Fund: Community Fund
Wycombe Youth Action is dedicated to empowering young people in High Wycombe with workshops, mentoring and community projects. They aim to reduce social exclusion and help young people to develop and achieve their goals.
With funding from the Heart of Bucks Community Fund, Wycombe Youth Action ran the Knife Crime & Youth Violence Prevention programme. This project brought together a diverse group of young people aged 13 to 19, many of whom had direct or indirect experiences of knife related issues in their communities, including personal stories of fear, pressure, and loss. Workshops, art sessions and school assemblies formed the backbone of the programme, providing safe, supportive spaces to explore the root causes of knife carrying, such as fear of victimisation, peer pressure, social media influence, and a lack of trusted adults. Importantly, the project deliberately moved away from fear-based messaging. Instead of simply reinforcing “don’t carry knives,” it reframed the narrative to emphasise agency, support networks, and positive alternatives. Young people were empowered to see themselves as capable decision makers with access to help and opportunities.
Central to the project was the powerful video co-produced with participants. Young people were involved at every stage of the process, including scripting, filming, acting, and production. This hands-on involvement ensured authenticity in storytelling and created a strong sense of ownership and pride in the finished product. The resulting film combines dramatised scenes, spoken word, and direct-to-camera reflections, focusing on choice, consequence, and hope. It highlights moments where young people can step away from risk, seek support, and make positive decisions. The completed video is now being used in schools, youth settings, and community events as a valuable youth-led resource.
The project also benefited from the involvement of key stakeholders, including police representatives, youth workers, and individuals directly affected by knife crime. Their contributions added real world context and depth, while maintaining a focus on constructive, solution oriented conversations.
Wycombe Youth Action’s Knife Crime & Youth Violence Prevention programme demonstrates the power of youth-led, creative approaches to tackling complex social issues. By prioritising empowerment, collaboration, and authentic storytelling, it has not only supported individual participants but also created wider cultural and community change.
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