Issue details

Streetdoctors have been commissioned to deliver a focused schools training programme in June and July owing to the increased risk of violence young people may be exposed to when out of school over the longer summer break. The training will support young people to become more resilient and have the skills to act in an emergency situation, whilst understanding the impact of street violence.

The VRU is partnering with Streetdoctors to deliver sessions in schools who before the end of the summer term. Streetdoctors will deliver 4-5 sessions in a day at each school to educate an entire year group. The sessions will focus on the first aid intervention required due to injury with a sharp object and the emotional impact of street violence. The training is trauma informed, and empowers young people affected by violence (aged 11-25) to become lifesavers in their community.

The project will use evaluation measurements with clear metrics at the start and at the end of the session, which ensures the impact can be clearly measured against the training interventions and the programme outcomes. Streetdoctors evaluates individuals' progress, which enables them to demonstrate the impact of the training with a focus on increasing knowledge, skills, confidence and willingness to act. The impact is further measured through case studies, quotes and teacher feedback. We specifically want to measure the impact of these sessions in terms of how well they support the VRU’s broader goals around understanding the consequences of violence, knowing what to do if someone is bleeding, and being willing to act in a first aid emergency. This emphasis aligns closely with the VRU’s I am Greater campaign, which includes bystander theory as one of its cornerstones, which encourages pupils to step up in critical moments.

These sessions not only increase knowledge and confidence, but they also encourage young people to become active participants in their communities, helping to reduce street violence and save lives.