This week, the youth justice team decided to host a youth justice event. This event was targeted at participants involved in the criminal justice system as well participants who are neutral and or have been victims of crime. We thought it was important to invite participants from a cross-section of society in order to capture a diverse range of perspectives. The primary aim of this event was to capture the viewpoints
The event was facilitated by Chikodi Lori, Youth Justice Project Development Manager and Jennifer Rodall, Youth Justice Project Development Officer. The session commenced with ground rules and participants were guided towards the central theme of KINDNESS. Participants were encouraged to interact kindly with each other and to desist from being unkind to those in attendance. The session commenced with an ice breaker; all attendees were invited to tell the group their names as well as two truths and one lie about themselves. The group then took it in turns to guess which statement was a lie. of participants on whether people who have criminal convictions should be given a “SECOND CHANCES”.
SECOND CHANCES
Participants were invited to think about the words “Second” and “Chances”. They wrote their responses down on coloured pieces of paper which was collated. Chikodi Lori explained that sometimes, some people commit an offence repeatedly until they recognise the error of their ways and may then require a second chance at that stage. Participants were invited to reflect and write down their opinions on whether people with criminal convictions should be given a second chance. They were also asked to consider whether their opinions would change if it was them in need of a second chance or a member of their family.
Refreshments were provided, and whilst participants ate and interacted, individual participants were taken to a separate room where they were interviewed by Jennifer Rodall. In order to cater to the diversity of the group, two categories of questions were prepared as seen below:
Amazing, meaningful talkative, encouraging
Participant feedback
Useful information, and good awareness, fun no improvement
Participant feedback
Youth Justice v1- Justice Experienced
- How did you get involved in crime ?
- What was your motivation?
- What have you learned?
- Do you think people previously involved in crime should be given a second chance?
- What is your message to employers who are scared of employing people with criminal convictions?
Youth Justice v2- Victim/Neutral
- Have you ever been affected by crime?
- Were you tempted to get involved in crime during Covid19?
- How did Covid19 impact your mental health?
- Do you think people previously involved in crime should be given a second chance?
- What is your message to employers who are scared of employing people with criminal convictions?
Today has taught me to be an example of having your voice heard
Participant feedback
Very good, and that young people have a voice
Participant feedback
Escape room was nice
Participant feedback
We would like to extend our gratitude to our colleagues, Amy, Aaron, Claire, Matt, Cara, and Ross for their support in making this event a success.
If you are a business, and you would like to get involved in the work that we do by providing valuable work experience/work trials, please get in touch using the email address below.
Youth Justice Project Development Manager
Chikodi Lori
chikodi@leicestershirecares.co.uk
To read about our Power to Change approach, click on the link below:
https://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/about-charity/our-approach/power-to-change/#:~:text=We%20believe%20our%20power%20to,city%20and%20county%20for%20all.
For more information and insight into our Youth Justice Projects click the links below:
https://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/about-charity/news-events-/vipphoenix-careers-and-hoodie-design-day/