The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Mal Mutton, visited Grangehurst Primary School to witness an impactful SOS+ Early Intervention session on gang awareness, delivered by St Giles Midlands. The session, aimed at educating young people on the dangers of gang involvement, forms part of the charity’s work under the Lord Mayor’s Charity of the Year partnership.
The session, designed for Year 5 students, was led by Liam Teasdale, a senior mentor who has lived experience of some of the issues talked about in the session, its aim is to educate and protect young students from the risks associated with gang risks.
The St Giles SOS+ Early Intervention programme is an integral part of St Giles’s work to prevent gang exploitation and youth-related violence. By engaging with students at a young age, the programme provides them with the knowledge and resilience needed to work towards safe and positive life choices.
During the visit, Lord Mayor Cllr Mal Mutton witnessed firsthand the impactful methods used by the mentor to connect with the students. The session included interactive discussions, real-life stories, and practical advice, all aimed at fostering an environment of awareness and prevention.
“I am deeply impressed by the work St Giles Midlands is doing with young people in our community,” said Cllr Mal Mutton. “The session led by Liam today was not only educational but also inspirational. It’s crucial that we reach children early with these messages and seeing the students so engaged and responsive gives me great hope for the future.”
The Lord Mayor’s visit underscores her ongoing support for St Giles Midlands, one of her chosen Mayor Charities for 2024/2025. Her commitment to highlighting the charity’s work aligns with her broader vision of promoting safety, education, and wellbeing for all young people in Coventry.
Assistant Headteacher of Grangehurst Primary School, Mrs Kay Trodden, expressed her gratitude for the visit and the programme.
“We are honoured to have the Lord Mayor visit our school and observe the important work being done by St Giles Midlands. Our students greatly benefited from today’s session delivered by Liam, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure a safer future for our children. We have been fortunate enough to have St Giles work in our school for the last 4 years and we see the impact of their work with our students to create safer communities for children.”
St Giles Midlands’ SOS+ Early Intervention sessions are part of a broader initiative to tackle youth related violence and gang exploitation across the region. The charity employs mentors with lived experience to deliver authentic and relatable guidance, making a significant difference in the lives of young people.
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