Archive
Third award win for gangs project
2 December 2009
Longford Prize commendation for founder staff member Junior Smart
St Giles Trust’s SOS Project has won its third award with the project’s founder staff member Junior Smart receiving a highly commended award in this year’s Longford Prize.
The judging panel of the Longford Prize highly commended Junior for his determination and courage in tackling knife crime and the gang culture by his face-to-face engagement with those involved, making a difference to their outlook and improving the safety of the community.
The annual prize is given in memory of the late Lord Longford. It “recognises the contribution of an individual, group or organisation working in the area of penal or social reform who/which has shown outstanding qualities of humanity, courage, persistence and originality”.
The SOS Project works with young offenders who are serving custodial sentences for gang-related offences. The project works intensively with each individual in custody and continues in the community with the aim of diverting the young person away from crime.
The SOS Project was set up in September 2006 and has developed into a close knit of individuals, all of whom are reformed ex-offenders. They provide intensive support around housing, finances, looking for work or training plus emotional support around self-esteem and identity away from gangs.
The project has worked with around 150 young offenders between the ages of 16 and 25. It has a re-offending rate of around 25%, against a national average of 75% for this age group.
Rob Owen, Chief Executive of St Giles Trust, said: “Congratulations to Junior and his team for yet another well deserved accolade. Their tireless work has a huge impact on many young lives.”
Junior, who is now a Team Leader on the SOS project, said: ”I’m thrilled to receive such a prestigious award and would like to thank my team for their unstinting support.”
This is the third award won by the SOS Project, with the project having previously won Best Community Project in the South London Press Awards 2008 and the Centre for Social Justice Awards 2009.
