Guns, gangs, family
and community
Training for young
people and youth service professionals
The session(s) utilise an array of teaching methods which
includes individual and group centered exercises, where
we present practical solutions to tackle these serious concerns
for the black and wider communities in the UK. Participants
are encouraged to engage in open and honest discussions
about why gang culture is so appealing to young people,
focusing on practical ways to break the cycle that ultimately
leads to self destruction for far too many them.
The session(s) feature an analysis of the role of popular
culture in young lives with an emphasis placed on the promotion
of the stereotypes, that dominate the mainstream media,
where black youth are seen as the most aggressive and least
intelligent. Thus we feature musical and DVD extracts that
highlight why the young people themselves, along with the
wider community, need to take ownership and responsibility
for what is happening on the streets, especially to black
boys.
We encourage the young people to express their innermost
concerns about the things that affect their daily lives,
including the manner in which they perceive themselves as
a way to explain how they are often perceived by others,
especially those in positions of authority. This information
can then be used to enable teachers, parents and youth practitioners
to support them in a way that is empowering and uplifting.
For Nu-Beyond their young voices must be central to any
proposed solutions otherwise they become meaningless talking
shop exercises that serve only to exacerbate the intergenerational
tensions that many of them see as their biggest problem.
Our sole aim is therefore to deliver potential strategies
that enable the young people to rethink, and therefore change,
their value system in a manner that raises their educational
aspirations and assists their positive social development.
Nu-Beyond tailor the session(s) to suit individual and
organisational needs and can therefore deliver them as an
ongoing piece of work or as a one off session. Please see
ABOUT US for contact details where we will be happy to assist
with any enquires.
TESTIMONIALS
Testimony: 16 January 2009
Dr Henry has been working alongside Haringey Youth Service
delivering both workshops for young people and training
for Youth Professionals for over 5 years. More recently,
Dr Henry has been involved in training our staff and professionals
from across London via our regional training programme in
the area of Youth Gangs.
The response to these sessions have been phenomenal, Dr
Henrys vast array of knowledge both theoretical and in real
life practice/experiences has been well received by the
delegates who have attended his sessions over the past 18months.
Dr Henry enabled the delegates to discuss and explore the
factors and consequences of Youth Crime in a manner than
enabled people to feel free to outline their own fears;
concerns and passions on the subject matter.
The range of Youth Professionals have included Police Officers;
Youth Workers; YOT Workers; Learning Mentors; Housing Officers
to name a few. Dr Henry was able to address the audience
in an equally relevant manner despite the different engagement
and delivery styles of each professional ethos. He created
a friendly yet thought provoking environment giving the
learner an enjoyable learning experience.
Within Haringey, all of the Youth Service staff have undertaken
this training course and the impact on delivery has led
to a better understanding of both the factors behind the
behaviour of young people involved in gangs and this has
led to a more solution focused approach when working with
them.
Seema Chandwani - Deputy Head of
Youth Service
The Children and Young People's Service
Haringey Youth Service
 |
TESTIMONIAL FOR NU-BEYOND
SEMINAR ON GUNS, GANGS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY |
Dr. Henry conducted seminars with each of my tutor groups
regarding guns, gangs and family in June 2007.
The seminars were designed to challenge the perceptions
of the students and to enable them to critically analyse
recent events in London.
Dr. Henry had a very calm, authoritative manner with the
students and had no problem managing the behaviour of the
students. Students developed a rapport with him very quickly
and were keen to discuss the issues he raised with them.
They were inspired by him and many related to him due to
his cultural background.
Dr. Henry is pro education and highlights its necessity
in today’s society if you are to achieve success.
Students were encouraged to study to at least degree level.
Students comments included:
“ He made me think about what a gang is and if I
really was part of one. He made me realise that I need to
do well in school and not to hang around with the wrong
crowd.”
“He made me realise that I need at least a degree
if I am to succeed and get a good car and a house.”
“He made me think about carrying a weapon for protection
and how it may be used against me or that a knife might
soon become a gun.”
“He made me realise that there are good and bad people,
not good and bad black people and that they are not the
only ones doing bad things, even if that’s all we
seem to hear and read about.”
“I enjoyed watching his video and realising that
he was important to our community and spoke up for us.”
I would have no hesitation in asking Dr. Henry to come
back to the school and conduct further sessions with the
students on a variety of issues. He is a positive role model
for young people and I am very pleased my students were
able to benefit from him.
Amanda Morrell
Head of Year 8
Blackheath Bluecoat School
