Spark2Life are extremely grateful for the support that we have received from the Metropolitan Police, especially from Chief Superintendent Kieran Power. Below details an excerpt - from his nomination of Spark2Life for a National Criminal Justice Award – on the subject of the impact of the Spark2Life Programme:
“The programme is inspiring and positively challenging for students and is linked to the national curriculum at Key Stages 3 & 4, covering Citizenship, Personal Social Health Education, RE and Black People’s Attainment Programme.
The programme uses Dez’s true-life crime experiences to challenge young people’s perceptions of crime, targeting students with high absenteeism, poor achievement and behaviour, and gang membership.
Since December 2006, 4000 students have participated in the programme the impact has been immediate, resulting in substantial decreases in Youth crime across Wandsworth.
Youth on youth crime
1st February - 31st July
|
2006 |
2007 |
%Change |
|
| Burglary | 36 | 27 | -25.0% | |
| Criminal Damage | 129 | 115 | -10.9% | |
| Fraud or Forgery | 13 | 13 | 0.0% | |
| Other Accepted Crime | 17 | 17 | 0.0% | |
| Other Notifiable Offences | 23 | 17 | -26.1% | |
| Robbery | 394 | 321 | -18.5% | |
| Sexual Offences | 35 | 26 | -25.7% | |
| Theft and Handling | 318 | 249 | -21.7% | |
| Violence Against the Person | 366 | 280 | -23.5% | |
Grand Total |
2564 |
1065 |
-58.5% |
|
This table shows the number of youth victims, where suspects were under 18.
Case Example
Kieron aged 15, stabbed in a gang related incident. Intent on revenge he had a private session with Dez. Afterwards, Kieron said that he had changed his mindset completely. He began to associate with new people, moving away from his old group of friends, improving dramatically at Home and School.”
IMPACT ON STUDENTS
Students were asked: On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate the lesson?
1 = Excellent 5 = Poor
- Those who rated 1 = 92% of students
- Those who rated 2 = 6% of students
- Those who rated 3 = 4% of students
- Those who rated 4 = None
- Those who rated 5 = None
Student Comments
Through Spark2Life i learnt that being in a gang doesn’t help you.
Spark2Life opened my mind and gave me a broader view of the streets life.
Spark2Life made me think more and to become more realistic
Spark2Life made me think about choices in life
Spark2Life taught me how to influence other people
Spark2Life made me reallize that I can be on the verge of getting killed.
I feel happy and proud I opened up because people saw the real me and people finally heard my point
I’ve learnt to start life now before it goes all over the place and look forward for your education
You can’t change anyone but you can help them on their way
Encourage children to be good, change how you are
