Let’s have those uncomfortable conversations and work together to identify the root causes of this escalating crisis. Only by acknowledging the true scope of the problem can we develop more effective solutions to protect our youth and provide the support that families so urgently need. A community problem requires a community solutions. The boxes that are not ticked need to be actioned.
We have heart breaking calls coming in from so many mothers desperate for help! These parents fear for their children’s safety, and kids are scared to go to school. The rising cost of living only exacerbates these challenges, forcing families to stretch their budgets beyond their means. Desperate to survive, children are turning to desperate measures. The system is failing them, and it’s time for action. We call on the government and local authorities to join us in confronting the harsh realities of our streets. Systemic issues are playing a major role in hindering the work of Project Lifeline in the community. Our children and their parents deserve our help. Let’s come together as a community, listen to their stories, and take the necessary steps to create a safer, more nurturing environment for all. The time for change is now. You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem, there is no in between.
It is a shocking indictment of our society when, amidst this suffering, local authorities and the government turn a blind eye to our most vulnerable. While vast sums of money are funneled into conflicts abroad, our streets have become a battleground, with children dying daily at the hands of violence. And yet, our pleas for help are met with a resounding echo of "no available funding."
Today, I had the privilege of joining Aaron Paul on BBC Radio London to discuss the pressing issues surrounding serious youth violence and the need for systemic change within local authorities. 25-03-25
We addressed the obstacles hindering progress in reducing knife crime and emphasized the importance of community-driven solutions. Throughout the discussion, we underscored the persistent problems within local authorities that impede the development of effective strategies for combating serious youth violence. These systemic issues range from a lack of resources and support for at-risk youth to insufficient communication and collaboration between various stakeholders. Furthermore, we called upon celebrities, artists, and community icons to collaborate with Project Lifeline in supporting our most at-risk young people, who continue to lose their lives to senseless violence on our streets. Tackling this problem requires a united effort, as a community issue necessitates community-wide solutions. In addition, we urge parents to come forward and share their experiences, voicing their concerns and expressing the support they require to help their children. It is crucial for parents and caregivers to contribute their valuable insights and actively participate in the conversation surrounding youth safety and well-being. It is essential to acknowledge that the current level of assistance and resources available for both children and parents is insufficient. By raising awareness and fostering a collaborative approach, we can work together to enact meaningful change and create safer environments for our youth.
The Urgent Call for Change The Greenwich community mourns the senseless killings of two young boys, Kelyan Bokassa, aged 14, and Daèjaun Campbell, aged 15. In the face of unimaginable grief, a beacon of hope and unity shines through as Project Lifeline brings together the two mothers. Let us not let these two and all the other young souls be forgotten, but rather let their stories inspire action and lasting change for all.
In this Politics London segment, we delve into the critical issues surrounding systemic challenges that exacerbate serious youth violence. Joined by MP Chris Philp, the discussion highlights the pressing problems faced in Croydon, particularly the obstacles Project Lifeline encounters in supporting at-risk youth embedded in violence. Despite 16 months of advocating for assistance, resources, and recognition for our self-funded organisation, we continue to face an uphill battle.
In light of the devastating reality that kids are killing kids, it is more crucial than ever for organisations like Project Lifeline and the VRU to join forces in developing innovative approaches and strategies to address serious youth violence. Despite not having worked together in the past, we firmly believe that collaboration between our organisations would allow us to pool our expertise and resources, creating a stronger, more effective response to this pressing issue.
Croydon see a lot of tension, anger and upset due to the violence that has spread throughout the UK. There is no room for racism, violence or division within the community. We worked tirelessly to keep our streets safe and calm.
Working on the front line in these situations can be extremely volatile at times, it requires knowledge of the streets, community relationships, trust, mediation awareness and violence interrupter training.
Project Lifeline works hard to maintain strong relationships with the many communities within the boroughs to ensure communication is at the forefront of any situation.
YOU'RE EITHER PART OF THE SOLUTION OR YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM
The ongoing issue of youth knife crime is growing daily, starting before the youth of today were born. It seems every action has a reaction. It seems the powers to be don’t take responsibility for their actions.
You didn’t think that when you closed several youth centres in South London, you were going to create a problem. You didn't think that when you closed several schools in a short period of time in South London, you were going to create a problem. Where were we meant to meet, gather, unite, and familiarise ourselves with other children in the area or surrounding areas? Those youth centres were the means to togetherness and a path to unity. You didn't think that when you closed several of our schools, our supply of educational opportunities, knowing there were not enough spaces in schools at the time, would create a problem.
I was fortunate to witness the first Brixton riots and the community's strong sense of unity. Prior to this, there was a lack of communication and trust between the community and police in the way people of colour were treated, which led to the riots. I also witnessed that, in large numbers, black people had a voice and were heard. I can't help but think the decisions that were made regarding the schools and specifically the youth centres were a means of segregation. Born from this were postcode wars, a term that I do not like to use.
After your experience with the Brixton riots, you didn't think future generations were going to face the problems we have today. For example, the cost of living is way above the average household income. This detrimental impact to the disposable income available for the creature comforts of young people; what they aspire to have is no longer achievable. The cost of living is so high that young people at university today are unable to feed themselves after paying their bills. The average young person today could not afford to even drive a car, taking into account insurance tax and the congestion charge. The basic wage would not pay that along with the day-to-day cost of living. Young people nowadays have to adapt their lives to suit the changes created by wrong decisions. The difference in the approach in earlier days compared to the present is that there was unity in the community, regardless of race, against the common force of the system. Families within the community shared their resources with one another to eradicate the stresses of the system. This method of survival originated from back home. Until today, some still call it home—the only place where the system accounts for them before making decisions. At least there, they think of the ripple effect these decisions may have on generations to come. This system seems to be built to account for the more wealthy families and people, rather than the average family. The system is designed for the well-off to get richer and a basic family to remain the same, if not decline. Unless opportunity knocks on your door, you will not see the chance of success. The cost of living does not permit a parent to even consider helping their child along with the everyday essentials a boy or girl needs or should rightfully have in this system, which should be designed to address all levels of people, which in my opinion it does not. All this does not mean that the child should accept the situation imposed upon them regarding life changes, as children are prone to adapting to their surroundings. They have witnessed the struggles of their parents under a system that has failed them. Therefore, they will be more inclined to find other means of survival, irrespective of how people may judge their actions. It's a god-given ability to survive
I use the example of third-world countries. Where people are starving. Children are starving. I heard many people say, “Why don’t they stop having children?” In reality, what they are saying is, “Why don’t they give up on hope and faith and let their race of people die out?” Their will and inner strength are to be commended, as under these circumstances, some races would give up or their bodies would give up. I use this as an example, not because of the conditions they live in, but because of their innate drive to survive. The disadvantaged youth live in a society that recognises the value of a person based on their monetary value and materialistic possessions. This is prominent to see in their everyday lives, and the system does not permit them to reach these levels of life. Which, in my opinion, is like dangling a sugar cube in front of a donkey to get him to walk and carry the heavy load. Children have an attitude of get rich or die trying because of the decisions made by the system in the past.
Many of us have a soldier in our home because of the need to protect the resources in our postcode, leading to conflict. This conflict stems from young people being forced onto the streets to find means for things that we, as adults, would look at as the essentials of life. Hence the reason we now have so much youth crime and still some refuse to see the failure of the system, as it doesn’t reach their doorstep.
We need to eradicate the stress and strain on a child to provide for themselves from a young age in a society that does not permit young people of a certain age to work. This will be the first step to addressing knife crime issues, which is intense. You cannot tell a soldier to drop his weapon in the middle of a battlefield. You may wonder why I use this term for the children and young people that live in London. The reason being that our young youth are living soldier lives. Maybe 80% of them need to be addressed on a psychological level, as society has let them down by the ripple effect of the pressures some of their parents are facing. History will say that traditionally, in most cases, the men went to work while the ladies looked after the children. Alternatively, men went to war while the women looked after the children. In earlier days, it was a man's role to address the hardships of the home. Now young people are facing adult issues along with the pressure of violence on the streets. You must take into account that young people are using social media as a form of communication with the outside world. It is my belief that the input is devastating and full of negativity. Social media highlights knife crime and death all around the country. Your children see the life-threatening outside world every day on social media. They are still expected to wake up and go to school, being told to focus on their exams while seeing on social media the life-threatening world outside their front door. For them to face these situations is not acceptable. This input is damaging to a young person’s mind, forcing them to challenge themselves in ways that a young person should not have to do, regarding the fear factor of losing their life and accepting this as a part of their life. How many parents address these issues and actually check their child's rooms for weapons, bearing in mind the obstacles highlighted? No child should have to leave their home thinking in this manner, and no parent should have to send their child out the door with this in mind. You must understand that if your child leaves the house thinking in this way and accepts this as a way of life without fear, your child is no longer a child when they have more similarities to a soldier of war. The fear factor in anyone, adult or child, is a major part of the reaction to certain situations. The mental challenges can make him overcome fear, but without fear in his body, he could be very dangerous as a person, especially if he began with fear and overcame it. Soldiers are taught to do this, as are the Metropolitan Police in extreme cases and most high-security personnel. Children should not have to be subjected to this while they are still in their developing period of life, as they are made to feel and think like soldiers of war while being children. What you see on the street today is a product of the above. To eradicate this, you must remove them from the battlefield and rehumanize their mental mindset in a safe environment.
If you want to see him smile again, remove the soldier from your home.
M.A. Rodney
Founder – Project Lifeline
Project Lifeline are out on the streets of Croydon with the forgotten youth and speaking with them around Gang Violence and Knife Crime.
Are you a gang? No we are friends who look out for each other.
Do you feel safe? How can we feel safe when a little girl got murdered.
We work day after day with these young men who want a way out, who needs our help for a safer and brighter future.
Young minds are influenced by experiences, Good or Bad. Every child is born innocent, it is our role to preserve that innocence in our children. Keep in mind every action has a reaction.
"Be mindful of the role you play"
Community Engagement
Project Lifeline CIC
CVA Resource Centre, 82 London Road, CR0 2TB