Leading the way on community safety

05 September 2024

A new team of community ambassadors are joining the battle to tackle the underlying causes of serious violence.

They’re the latest cohort to be trained in a 3-month programme from the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP)

Each will be supported to become leaders, increasing their knowledge, skills, and self-confidence to spearhead local initiatives.

The free sessions offer expertise ranging from project management and complex change to communications and building networks.

Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), Det Ch Supt Lee Berry said:

“The value of this programme speaks for itself, having already seen the first group of leaders demonstrating their influence and effectiveness across communities.

“Since receiving the training, they’ve built trust and confidence in their local neighbourhoods, helping to change attitudes and behaviours on key issues, like knife crime.

“We have once again recruited an amazing cohort of diverse individuals from each District who will now follow their footsteps. This can only strengthen our impact on the ground.”

Joshua Alade is one of the latest members to join the programme and added:

“Excited to have been selected for the 2nd cohort of the Community Leaders Programme. I look forward to working with local authorities, Community Interest Companies (CIC) and community members to reduce violent crimes by under 25-year-olds.”

New member Suffia Hussain is a karate and self-defence Coach in Bradford and says the programme will promote greater links and support for young people:

“We are involved with parents, wanting to engage their children in something self-developing and women concerned about safety. You get the occasional child off the street, and they see the lights on, they can see that something is happening and they're like, please can I come in?”

Deborah Jones, Jones Consulting, Programme Director of the Community Leader Programme said:

“Delivering the Community Leader Programme is the highlight of our week, we are so pleased to be able to support a new group of leaders across West Yorkshire.   

“In these times where national and international political, social and economic challenges weave into and impact local lives, it is crucial that we provide spaces for community leaders from different backgrounds and cultures to come together to build relationships, work together to improve community safety and develop their own leadership skills.   

“The programme has been running for 4 years now in the Midlands and West Yorkshire, it is recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) for its quality and robustness and is an effective way of encouraging collaboration across the region.”