Luton youth festival aims to steer young people away from knife crime
Rose Forde says activities can help steer young people away from crime
A new youth festival in Luton has brought together children, families and community organisations in a day of music, sport and activities aimed at giving young people positive alternatives to knife crime.
The first Youth Festival was organised by Street Fathers Luton, with young people performing on stage while activities including boxing gave children and teenagers the chance to try something new, socialise and have fun.
Founder Rose Forde said she was delighted by the response from the community.
“The crowd has been amazing,” she said. “The children have been so fantastic singing. They're not afraid. They're going out there, they're singing their little songs really, really well. Some great talent we've had here today.”
Rose said the event was about creating a community where people could come together and feel safe.
“This is what we want to see. People being able to come out, enjoy themselves and not feel worried about being outside,” she said.
“This is what Street Fathers is all about. This is what we're trying to create, a community village where everybody cares and spends time with each other and looks out for each other.”
'I will never give up on our young people'
A key aim of the festival was to help prevent knife crime by giving young people positive opportunities.
“If we can show the kids something positive, something other than what they think that they have to be involved in, I think it's a way of decreasing the knife crime,” Rose said.
She said activities such as boxing could provide an outlet for young people's energy while helping them develop confidence and social skills.
“If we can offer kids something like boxing or something that is subsidised by us or another organisation, it's a good opportunity for them,” she said.
Rose added that some young people simply do not know what opportunities are available to them.
“We need to be able to point kids to these things,” she said.
For Rose, seeing the community come together has strengthened her belief in the next generation.
“I have never and never will give up on our young people because they're our future,” she said.
The festival is intended to be the first of many, with Rose promising that Street Fathers has “big plans and big dreams” for young people.
“God willing, there will be a next one and a next one and a next one and hopefully bigger,” she said.