The programme was made possible through Prysmian’s full contribution of £1,566, which covered the cost of delivering all five sessions. This included funding for both a Lead and Support Youth Worker to attend each event, as well as venue hire and refreshments to ensure the sessions were accessible and welcoming for attendees. The programme recorded 82 attendances across five delivery dates, with young people taking part in knife crime awareness workshops, street first aid training and interactive personal safety activities.
The five-session series sought to educate and empower young people to understand the realities of knife crime, reduce risk-taking behaviours, and build confidence and skills to respond safely in real-life situations. The programme included 41 attendances at specialist street first aid and knife crime awareness, 34 attendances at workshops delivered by the Connor Brown Trust, and a further seven young people taking part in an interactive safety-focused visit to Safety Works in Newcastle.
The sessions took place in Seaham and were delivered by Groundwork North East, working directly with local young people and community groups. Following the success of the initiative, fellow primary contractor Metlen has also agreed to fund an additional tranche of sessions in a different location, allowing the programme to expand its reach and support more communities across the region.
Alberto Pirovano, Project Director at Prysmian, said: “We’re proud to support initiatives that make a positive difference in the communities where we work. These sessions help raise awareness of knife crime, encourage positive choices, and provide valuable support for young people across County Durham.”
Joanne Holloway, Youth Project Manager at Groundwork North East, said: “Thanks to the support of our funding partner, Prysmian, this programme has provided young people with access to high quality, specialist led sessions that address knife crime from multiple angles. The series of workshops has been incredibly important in giving participants the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to make safer choices. By combining education, real life insight and hands on training, we have been able to engage young people in a meaningful way that goes beyond awareness and supports real behaviour change. The impact has been clear, with increased confidence, greater understanding of consequences and a stronger commitment to positive decision making, all of which contribute to safer communities and better outcomes for young people.”
As part of the programme, the Connor Brown Trust also donated two bleed kits to support emergency response within the local community.
Knife crime awareness remains a key issue in County Durham, where offences have risen in recent years. By investing in early intervention and education, both Prysmian and Metlen are helping to create safer communities, provide positive opportunities for young people, and encourage open conversations around the impact of knife crime.
The initiative demonstrates how collaboration between businesses and community organisations can deliver meaningful local benefits and support long term positive change.
