At #kNOwKnifeCrime, we believe education plays a vital role in creating safer communities. While conversations around knife crime often focus on risks and consequences, we also believe it is important to help young people understand that they have the ability to influence positive change.
That belief is exactly why we created our Dear MP Workshop.
The Dear MP Workshop is designed to help young people understand how change happens within their communities and how they can play an active role within it. Through interactive learning and discussion, students explore the role of their local Member of Parliament, what MPs do, and how they can support issues that matter within local communities.
Throughout the session, children work together to research their local MP and discuss challenges affecting young people today. Using this understanding, they create letters with two clear objectives: to gain support for the #kNOwKnifeCrime campaign and to request support for funding vital bleed control equipment within their local school communities.
The workshop is not simply about writing letters — it is about building confidence.
By encouraging children to speak openly, share ideas, and contribute towards meaningful discussions, the workshop helps develop important skills including communication, teamwork, research, and critical thinking.
We know that conversations surrounding knife crime and community safety can sometimes leave young people feeling powerless. The Dear MP Workshop aims to challenge that by helping children understand that their opinions matter and that meaningful change often begins with people being willing to speak up.
At #kNOwKnifeCrime, we do not simply talk to young people — we work alongside them.
Through workshops like Dear MP, we are helping young people become active contributors within their schools and communities, encouraging them to understand the role they can play in creating positive change.
Because sometimes, creating safer communities begins with simply starting a conversation.
