UK Youth chief joins King and Idris Elba to tackle violence affecting young people

The chief executive of UK Youth was among a number of leading figures who joined King Charles III and actor Idris Elba to discuss violence affecting young people.

Ndidi Okezie OBE, UK Youth chief executive officer, joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, young people and representatives from BigKid, Youth Endowment Fund, Bounce Back, Youth United Foundation and The Prince’s Trust – becoming the King’s Trust – for the discussion at St James’s Palace in London.

The talks explored how alternative options, such as access to employment opportunities, can impact young people at risk of being affected by knife crime and other serious violent crime.

Those taking part also heard the experiences of young people whose lives have been affected by violence, as well as to those who are dedicated to offering positive solutions.

Gideon Buabeng, who was supported by The Prince’s Trust and is founder of Our Pain To Power, said: “A few years ago, I survived an attack in which I was stabbed 14 times. I never thought my story was worth telling; where I grew up, it wasn’t unusual to have been a victim of violence.

“It was my Prince’s Trust mentor who made me think twice about this. I began to understand how sharing my story can help to drive change in a positive way. The more we can all talk together about the issue of youth violent crime – to really listen to the experiences of those it impacts – the more we can learn how to prevent it.

“One thing that has come out of this discussion loud and clear is the positive impact that creating alternative opportunities for young people at risk can have on their lives. If we can empower these young people to see a better path for themselves, including through building their confidence and skills, we can support them to move away from a culture of violence.”

Ndidi said: “The event was really powerful. We heard from young people who are talking about their own lived experience of violence, being done to them and themselves getting caught up in that activity.

“We listened to the things they think might make a difference. Over and over again, we heard the difference that having a safe place to a go, a trusted adult to speak to and positive activities to do would make on their lives.”

Ndidi took the opportunity to highlight several UK Youth programmes with those present, including Adventures Away from Home, the Joined Up Institute and Summer Jobs.

Ndidi said: “All of this was incredibly well received and I’m really excited by the support and attention we were able to build about the things UK Youth is working on.

“Lisa spoke really passionately and it’s clear this brief is not something on the side of her desk. She’s really listened and is very keen to continue to talk to us about the summit and ongoing work with AAfH.

“She spoke so passionately about the commitment this Government has to walk alongside young people, that young people shouldn’t be a side issue, but at the heart of everything Government does.

“She spoke really passionately about the opportunity having the youth brief brings to the five missions of Labour and how taking back our streets has a real strand about unlocking opportunities for young people. It definitely feels there is momentum about young people being a focal point.”

Luther and The Wire star Idris, who was supported by a grant from The Prince’s Trust when he was a teenager, said: “It’s vitally important we listen to young people who have lived experience of knife crime and involve them in the conversation if we want real change.

“The Elba Hope Foundation was created to help every young person fulfil their potential, which is why I’m looking forward to working with the trust both here in the UK and in Sierra Leone, to reach as many people as we possibly can.”

Sir Keir said: “We cannot continue to let our young people down, standing by as knives and criminal gangs destroy their futures. That is why supporting them to turn their lives away from violence is central to our mission to take back our streets.

“The Elba Hope Foundation and The Prince’s Trust are already doing fantastic work to help vulnerable young people and I look forward to my government working closely with them on this shared ambition.”

Ms Nandy said: “Youth work has such a positive impact for young people up and down this country – helping them realise their potential and turn away from violence, crime and wasted opportunities. It’s a critical service and something I saw first hand during my time working at youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.

“Having access to positive role models, relationships and activities that support their needs and development is vital for young people and will aid this Government’s mission of halving knife crime over the next 10 years, to take back our streets.

“I look forward to working closely with our young people, the youth sector and communities across the UK to help prevent youth crime and change lives for the better.”

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org 

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes