Harris Academy Tottenham hosts launch event for youth violence reduction programme
This week Harris Academy Tottenham hosted the launch of a new £750,00 violence reduction initiative for Tottenham Hale. It was a poignant and moving event where children through poetry, song and speeches shared their stories of loss to street criminality and their desire to make the future better.
Run by the Bridge Renewal Trust and the Greater London Authority (GLA), the initiative brings together key local stakeholders, charities and schools to tackle youth violence in the area. Home Cooked in Tottenham Hale is part of the Mayor of London’s flagship MyEnds programme, which aims to support neighbourhoods affected by high levels of violence.
Local charities involved in the initiative include the Godwin Lawson Foundation, Mind in Haringey,Father2Father and the North London Partnership Consortium. They have been awarded the funding from the GLA to develop and implement the programme. The Godwin Lawson Foundation have worked closely with Year 8-10 students at HATO in making public personal commitment pledges to fight knife crime and street violence.
Over thirty community leaders from across the borough attended the launch, including Tottenham MP David Lammy, Leader of Haringey Council Cllr Peray Ahmet, Lib Peck from the GLA and North London Borough Commander Treena Flemming.
Dr Lawrence Foley, Executive Principal of Harris Academy Tottenham, said:
“Our academy has played a central role serving local children and families within Tottenham Hale since its inception and we are privileged to be a key beneficiary and partner in this vital new initiative funded by the London Mayor. We were incredibly proud of our students during the event who gave thoughtful perspectives on the drivers of violence in the area and put forward their suggestions on how our community can work together to find solutions.”
