Yvonne Lawson calls for the government to follow through on promises for more grassroots funding to tackle epidemic.
Yvonne Lawson, CEO of the Godwin Lawson Foundation is today calling for more funding into early intervention work to tackle knife crime in the capital. Yvonne’s son Godwin was stabbed in the street in Stamford Hill in 2010, trying to prevent two of his old school friends from being attacked by four young men. He was just 17.
Following his tragic death, Yvonne began researching gangs and knife crime. Shocked by its scale and impact, she became determined that Godwin’s legacy should be something to help keep young people safe, and prevent other families having to go through the pain and loss that hers had suffered.
Yvonne states “Despite repeated demand from schools and community groups for help there has been no funding to carry out this essential work. Everyday we are contacted by schools, community groups, youth workers and families for help that we are unable to give because we have no funding. Early intervention is key in this matter.
Promised increases in funding for early intervention services has not materialised in many areas of the London which means we cannot carry out essential work within schools and the local communities. This is worrying as there is a really urgent need for investment into this type of work carried out by those ideally placed to deliver it.
Our aim is to reduce gun and knife crime by encouraging young people to identify their talents and fulfill their potential through providing positive opportunities so that they can avoid gang life and develop their capabilities as members of a tolerant society.
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