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The Spark2Life programme based in Wandsworth borough, London,
has proved very successful in tackling the issue of youth crime in
the area. The initiative is led by Dez Brown, a reformed offender
who is now a youth pastor. He is supported by Lorraine King, a
specialist teacher from Wandsworth Council. The project goes into
schools and community centres, targeting children with bad
behaviour and high levels of absenteeism. Through the programme Dez
recounts his own experiences of crime, challenging how teenagers
within the Borough perceive knife, gun and drug culture.
The result of the scheme has been an immediate and unprecedented
fall in youth crime in Wandsworth and a greater confidence in the
Criminal Justice System. It has personally altered the lives of
many people, and in the case of one school, helped lift it out of
Special Measures.
Dez Brown says, ‘It's great to be recognised for the
contribution Spark2life has made in tackling youth crime. It
confirms its effectiveness as a programme and adds credibility to
the project. The award will help us achieve our goals of developing
the programme wider and gaining financial support so there can be
sustainability. It’s a needed resource in our generation as
Spark2Life has clear Christian values running through every session
- it’s a great opportunity to be salt and light in a way
that’s relevant and accessible to many young people. We thank
God for what the programme has achieved thus far.’
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