PLEASE NOTE: All design work produced by young students from Loughborough University in this edition is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without specific permission.
This 14th Edition of our magazine is a new departure in two ways. First it is written and to some extent designed by young people who have been inspired to contribute to the significant generational problems presented by knife crime, and its associated causes in the UK. This edition also brings fresh perspectives from students of two of the leading universities concerned to work and research into community and youth empowerment in the UK - Sheffield Hallam University and Loughborough University.
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
The work they have been doing, showcased in this edition has much relevance to the work we do in London, and is more powerful because of the passion shown by the students whose studies, and own life experience informs the contributions, and the design work ideas promoted in this edition. FKCL extends profound appreciation for what they have done. It is the product of a great deal of research, as well as their own perspectives as young people. So much of what they say will resonate with young Londoners and those working in youth empowerment.
Sheffield Hallam University’s law programme has a long history of pro-bono work and innovative clinical legal education. FKCL1 has been working as formal partners with the University’s Institute of Law and Justice and the Helena Kennedy Centre of International Justice since its foundation ln 2021. Sheffield Hallam was one of the first Universities in the UK to establish a law clinic, and continues to lead the way with partnerships with international and UK firms providing professional collaborations which form the backbone of our pro-bono services.
Lisa Wooley is Senior Lecturer in Law Sheffield Hallam University Institute of Law & Justice Community Justice Hub Placement Supervisor, and she has been responsible for inspiring and coordinating this work not only for the students themselves who have been absolutely committed to this work, but also to support FKCL in spreading new thinking and research, and seeking to learn lessons from the experience of other regions of the United Kingdom.
This Hub provides an internal placement opportunity for Level 6 students in Law and Law & Criminology, and aims to work on those issues of concern to the community and provide students with experience on social justice themes. In early December, FKCL’s founder Bruce Houlder chaired a Panel Event at the University, organised by the Community Justice Hub Placement students. The panel included Tracy Brown who has worked with young people in many different ways over a 25-year period, and Paul Hebda Youth and Integration Manager for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club’s Community Programme. The work of their Community Hub has also been promoted to the University’s external advisory committee as an exemplar of the work of the Institute.
STOP PRESS. This year students from Sheffield Hallam University’s Institute of Law & Justice’s Community Justice Hub have worked with FKCL to update and refresh FKCL critical directory of services. You will see these changes fully implemented in the next few weeks. If further changes are required by those included please do let us know.
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Over the summer, outside of term time, Graphic Design students from Loughborough University were invited to take part in an elective project. They were invited to produce anti-knife crime campaign material to address the serious issue of knife crime and encourage positive societal change. Loughborough has been named for the fourth time by the Times as Sunday Times as the Sports University of the year and is a leader in community research and in seeking to improve living standards for everyone.
The coordinator of this project, produced in the students own free time, is Helen Nowell. Helen teaches on the Graphic Design / Graphic Communication and Illustration Degree Courses at Loughborough University and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
The project brief asked students to tailor their campaigns to an audience of their choosing, each with a specific angle on addressing knife crime. They could choose to focus on convincing government officials to enforce stricter knife control laws or to reallocate funds to support community activities for young people in underprivileged areas. Students could target young individuals who might be vulnerable to the influence of knife crime or focus on informing parents of the risks that their children might face. They decided, and this is a selection of their inspiring work.
We are particularly honoured to showcase some of their original designs shown throughout this 14th Edition, and we invite you to explore their work further via the links in the contributions you will see. Helen Nowell’s article introduces the students, their work and how, in their own words, they were inspired to produce the designs you will see, as well as rehearsing some of the comments of the judges who assessed their work. Every one of them deserves our congratulations not only for their insights but also their thoughtful designs. They have assured careers!
AND FINALLY
We address an area we have not sufficiently covered before - The Online Safety Act 2023, but which cries out for closer attention. We are very pleased to have an article from two experts in the field, Michael Railton, Senior Associate – Firearms, Knives and Weapons Lead and Cat Wharton MBE. Online Safety Policy Principal – Weapons, Drugs, Human Trafficking, and unlawful Immigration, both from the Online Safety Group (www.ofcom.org.uk).
A very Happy New Year to you all.
Bruce Houlder, Founder of Fighting Knife Crime London (FKCL)
www.fightingknifecrime.london
References:
[1] FKCL’s founder Bruce Houlder CB KC DL is the Chair of the Sheffield Hallam University ‘s Institute of Law and Justice Advisory Committee, and an Honorary Doctor of the University since 2015.
