6 Sep 2018
by Orielle, Implementing NKBL locally, NKBL and youth work, Evaluation
In Inverclyde, knife crime was becoming a recognised issue within communities and when talking to young people it was apparent that they too felt it was something that needed to be addressed. As a youth team we always try to respond to these types of issues when a need is identified and we do this in a variety of ways. The Youth Work Services manager decided to sign Inverclyde up as one of the pilot areas for the Scottish Governments new campaign – No Knives Better Lives.
To begin, with an already established youth group called Speak Up Inverclyde worked on the campaign looking at how to promote the NKBL and get other young people involved. Initially, a Facebook page was designed and locations chosen for NKBL posters and chalk stencils to make sure young people were seeing the message out in their local community and within their schools. A beach party was organised to promote the NKBL message of choosing to have a life, make positive choices and have fun. This was a huge success and everyone who attended was given a NKBL t-shirt and wrist band to help with the promotion of the campaigns message. We also created pledge boards that we took to different events and to our local shopping centre to raise awareness and get people to sign their pledge that they were on board with the campaign, we collected 1734 signatures.