The events were held across three DCG campuses — The Joseph Wright Centre, Broomfield Hall and The Roundhouse — where students were introduced to safety screening procedures before taking part in a range of interactive activities and discussions.
Organised by DCG’s Personal Development Team, the events brought together a number of organisations working on the frontline of crime prevention, youth engagement and victim support.
Representatives from Derbyshire Constabulary, StreetDoctors, Remedi, and Change Grow Live – 1625 Outreach attended to share their expertise, speak with students, and offer practical guidance on staying safe.
These sessions gave young people the chance to learn more about knife crime, the risks associated with carrying weapons and the wider impact violence can have on individuals, families and communities.
Students also explored how to react in emergency situations and where they can seek support if they or someone they know is affected by knife crime.
The events aimed to help students better understand how to keep themselves and others safe.
Throughout the sessions, students learned more about the law relating to knife crime, gained awareness of CPR and life-saving first aid techniques, and were introduced to organisations they can turn to for advice or support.
Students were also encouraged to reflect on the role education and awareness play in preventing violence.
Learners engaged enthusiastically with the activities, asking questions, taking part in demonstrations and speaking directly with professionals working across policing, healthcare and youth support.
Luke Holland, a Level 3 Public Services student from Nottingham who hopes to pursue a policing career, said the experience helped him understand the real-life consequences of crime and substance misuse.
Luke said:
“It’s good to learn and see the effects of drugs and crime. It helps you understand the reality of what can happen.
“I want to become a firearms police officer in the future, so learning about these issues now is really important.”
Fellow Level 3 Public Services student Anna Bell Steadman, 18, from Chaddesden in Derby, said the event added valuable practical experience to an already engaging course.
Anna said:
“Our course takes a really engaging and common-sense approach to learning about public services.
“I am interested in going into medicine, possibly in the Army as a combat medic, so learning these skills is really useful.”
Anna also supported the StreetDoctors stand, where she learned techniques to help if someone suffers a serious injury. StreetDoctors, a charity working across the UK, delivers training that empowers young people with the knowledge and confidence to act in emergencies involving violence.
Seraya Cliffe, National Operations Manager at StreetDoctors and former Head of Student Development at DCG, emphasised the vital role education plays in preventing violence.
Seraya said:
“Knife crime is a public health issue as well as a policing issue. At StreetDoctors we equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to act if someone is seriously injured, but just as importantly, we encourage conversations about the risks and consequences of carrying a knife.
“Education and prevention are key to helping young people make safer choices and protecting our communities.”
Nicole Davies, Personal Development Coordinator at DCG, highlighted the importance of creating space for honest discussions.
Nicole said:
“These events are incredibly important because they allow us to have honest conversations with young people about knife crime, the law and the consequences of carrying weapons.
“By working with organisations that deal with these issues every day, students can hear real experiences and gain the knowledge they need to make safer choices.
“It was fantastic to see how engaged our students were throughout each of the days.”
DCG extended thanks to all partner organisations for supporting the events and sharing their expertise to help students understand the real-world impact of violence and make informed decisions that keep themselves and their communities safe.
