Decision Maker: Director for Police, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
The reasons for the decision are:
Alison Cope has lived experience of losing her son Josh when he was
stabbed in 2013. Alison devotes her time to campaigning for
violence reduction, much of which involves 2-3 hour presentations
to secondary school audiences across the UK. Alison previously
presented at the Greater Manchester Hope Hack in Oct 2022, where
her presentation was extremely engaging across an audience of over
100 young people. Following this, our commission with Alison in
2022-23 (which led her to speak at 12 schools across GM) was met
with universal praise. Alison’s message is one of awareness
of the dangers of carrying a weapon, but also considering the
impact of violence on individuals, family and friends, and looking
out for signs amongst peer groups where early intervention may be
required. Alison’s presentation has been endorsed by the
Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
It is important that the VRU considers additional support to
schools where the presentations take place in order that
disclosures or concerns can be addressed beyond the presentations,
so each school will be offered the services of GMP School
Engagement Officers and Youth Navigators. (This support will not
replace the existing statutory safeguarding arrangements in each
school).
The VRU’s Victims Lead & Project & Policy Officer are
in the process of identifying the schools wishing to participate
and commit to longer term approaches to violence prevention.
The programme director agrees a 2022/23 budget
allocation of £25,000 from the VRU Education 23/24 budget to
commission Alison Cope to deliver a series of sessions in schools
across GM between January and May 2024. Our intention is that
schools in every borough of GM partake in this offer.
Publication date: 19/03/2024
Date of decision: 29/02/2024