Colchester United Football in the Community are delighted to announce the launch of their new programme United Against Knife Crime, which they have now begun delivering across Colchester and north Essex.
The U's community scheme received a grant of £13,625 from the Home Office that will see them deliver their awareness raising workshops to over 4,000 young people from over 20 primary and secondary schools across Essex throughout their initial delivery period until the end of March 2018.
As well as school workshop sessions, Football in the Community will be holding a United Against Knife Crime Holiday Activity and Celebration Event at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Senior Business Development Officer Tom Tayler said: "We are excited to start the delivery of our new United Against Knife Crime programme and have already had some very successful sessions delivered within the local community.
"We have worked hard with local organisations such as Essex Police and Essex Youth Service to ensure this project is touching upon the current issues that we have unfortunately seen a rise in within our communities.
"As well as making young people within our community aware of the dangers we are especially keen to highlight and signpost to those organisations that can provide support to those that might need it.
"We plan to directly engage with over 4,000 people aged 9-18 through United Against Knife Crime and we hope that the knock on effects from this work alongside other local agency work ongoing will help contribute to a safer community."
If you would like to find out more about United Against Knife Crime and how you can get involved with the programme please contact tom.tayler@colchesterunited.net or call 01206 755160.