West Lancashire College recently welcomed Laura Hughes, founder of the #kNOwknifecrime campaign, to their campus in Skelmersdale for a powerful and thought-provoking day of education, awareness and discussion focused on knife crime, personal safety and making positive choices.
The visit provided students with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the realities and consequences of knife crime through honest conversations, real-life experiences and interactive workshops.
The #kNOwknifecrime campaign was established by Laura Hughes in memory of her brother, Colin McGinty, who tragically lost his life as a result of knife crime. Since its creation, the campaign has worked to educate young people about the devasting impact of carrying a knife and the far-reaching effects violence can have on individuals, families and communities.
Throughout the session, students were encouraged to reflect on the importance of the choices they make, consider the consequences of their actions and recognise the role they can play in helping to create safer communities.
Julie-Ann Halliwell, the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Co-ordinator at West Lancashire College said, "Through the #kNOwkknifecrime campaign, students learned about the realities and consequences of knife crime, while also taking part in paramedic-led workshops that taught them how to respond to a knife wound in an emergency. By combining awareness with practical life-saving skills, we hope to help young people make safer choices and protect those around them."
The campaign aims to help young people understand the realities of knife crime, improve their awareness of personal safety, encourage open and honest conversations, promote positive decision-making and provide them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed life choices.
The event also directly supported the NCG Guarantee, which aims to ensure every student develops the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to thrive in education, employment and in their wider communities.
Wendy Bennett, Assistant Principal at West Lancashire College said, "We are committed to supporting the personal development of every students. Events such as #kNOwknifecrime provides valuable opportunities for students to engage with real-life experiences, challenge perceptions, develop critical thinking skills and better understand the consequences of choices and actions. Together, we can help equip our students with the knowledge, confidence and resilience needed to make safe and positive decisions."
By engaging with the #kNOwknifecrime campaign, students gained a greater understanding of the impact knife crime on individuals, families and local communities. The session encouraged positive citizenship, social responsibility and informed decision-making, while promoting the importance of creating safer and stronger communities. Students also explored how online activity can influence personal safety and the steps they can take to protect themselves and others.