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lthough gun crime represents a small proportion of the total crime committed in London, it has a devastating impact on the lives of the victims and perpetrators, their families, friends and communities. The scale and shape of the problem of gun-related violence and crime in London can only be tackled if schools, communities, young people, organisations and law enforcement professionals work together.
In recent years, the growth of a 'gun culture' amongst deprived and socially excluded young men has been especially marked. It is not confined to any single nationality or ethnic group and young men are using guns not only to facilitate crime, but for protection, as a means of gaining respect and as a status symbol. Guns have now become 'fashion accessories'.
The Calling the Shots education programme is an evidence-based teaching and learning resource, designed to proactively address, educate and challenge young people about their assumptions and attitudes towards guns and 'gun culture'. Each lesson plan and activity worksheet has been piloted by young people and the themes address a broader framework of knowledge, skills and values such as peer pressure, anger management, law and authority, collective and individual responsibility and citizenship.
Calling the Shots is a provocative, practical and powerful resource, which brokers conversations with and between young people about issues that are of relevance and importance to them. It offers an alternative way of discussing the hard and more sensitive questions about gun-related violence and culture within a positive and supportive learning environment. Most importantly, the cross-cutting lesson plans and themes complement other teaching strategies and priorities, youth, community and civic participation and engagement programmes.
Please feel free to read the pilot study evaluation reports and comments from young people who have already participated in the programme.
Calling the Shots allows young people to make informed choices, builds character and promotes resiliency. These programme qualities are essential if we are to help young people make a difference - to their lives and the communities in which they live.
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