Advocating for Safer Streets and Communities  

Sophie Hearn, Education Advisor and Lessons4Life Ambassador, examines the current state of our streets and how the Lessons4Life campaign is advocating to change the future landscape.

What does a safe society look like to you? For many of us, we want our streets to foster a sense of community, facilitate economic growth and promote outdoor activities for our health and positive wellbeing. Street safety is also a commitment to protecting our vulnerable population. However, every week and sometimes every day, I see yet another story about an incident on our streets. The rise in reports of these horrific acts of violence and incidents happening right outside schools and in tight-knit communities both in the home and outside, is simply terrifying to comprehend. More so, how children and young people are increasingly exposed to these crimes and are even the victim themselves. When I originally wrote about this as part of my work for leading PSHE provider 1decision, it was in light of a nine-year-old girl who was left in a life-threatening condition after being shot by an attacker on a motorbike while visiting London and having dinner with her family.  

Since reflecting on this disturbing incident, deepening societal issues sadly continue to affect children and young people, with statistics rising and more unjust incidents such as the Southport attack in the Summer shocking the entire nation and world.  

LIVING WITHOUT FEAR: A Right, Not a Privilege 

We deserve to be able to live without fear in our homes and streets, reach the destinations we are aiming for and to go about our lives without threats to our safety. Yet countless individuals face the destruction of crime on a daily basis and it only seems to be getting worse. The escalation in crime across the UK is eroding the sense of safety that communities once enjoyed, making it more urgent than ever to find solutions and instil better life skills education into our schools. 
 

UK JUSTICE SYSTEM: Urgently Calling for Reform  

In 2023, due to a personal experience involving a loved one, I found myself navigating the justice system. For a long period, it was a daunting and overwhelming situation and has left me with so many questions on the state of our system. While my gratitude still lies with the investigating officer and CPS, who were responsive and supportive at all levels, I echo that the justice system is not robust enough in this country and there is an awful long way to go. As a society, we keep receiving promises from the government and calls-for-action seem to fall on deaf ears by the tireless organisations and individuals who campaign for change and more support. It is crucial for policymakers to listen seriously and take decisive steps to make our streets safer.  

In my original article which was published before the general election, I wanted for each party’s manifesto to clearly outline the work that must be done to move forward as a society. Since coming into government, the Labour party has outlined significant plans to reform the UK justice system, focusing on several key areas to address growing concerns around crime, victim support, and prison capacity. However, I fear that letting offenders out early under the Early Release scheme won’t fix the broken cycle until we do more to prevent people from entering the system to begin with. Anne Owers, who was Chief Inspector of Prisons from 2001 to 2010 echoes this in an article she wrote for The Guardian, stating that early release may keep them temporarily out of prison but it won’t solve the problems that got them there without investing in alternatives.’ With 13% of prisoners in England and Wales being released without a home, just how many collective factors will see people reoffending or breaching their licence, ending back in an overcrowded system? 

At Lessons4Life, we believe in the power of life skills education to shape stronger, more resilient individuals. Through our campaign and pilot personal development assessment tool, we are committed to equipping young people with the essential knowledge they need to navigate societal challenges. We may not be able to eradicate all societal issues of course, but if we can change even one child’s life, then we know our work is making a difference. The reality is that these growing societal challenges do not have to define us—they can inspire resilience. Trauma, while painful, can be transformed into strength, and it is this strength that will empower the fight for meaningful change.  

My hope for the Lessons4Life campaign is about empowering the next generation to demand better, safer communities so that they have the opportunity to thrive. In turn, through early intervention and a collaborative approach with educators, policymakers and like-minded organisations, we can strategically reinvest attributed funding back into education and personal development initiatives. We cannot wait any longer for change and let another person become a statistic—it must happen now. 

Your support can make a real difference. 

Sign the petition to demand that education and personal development remain at the forefront of efforts to create safer communities and reduce crime. Together, we can push for concrete steps towards change. 

If you believe in the power of education and personal growth, share Lessons4Life with your community. Spread the message, and let’s work together for a brighter, safer future for the next generation.