The Phoenix Programme
A Focused Deterrence programme delivered by Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Violence Reduction Network aimed at reducing serious violence that involves children and young people.
The Phoenix Programme, delivered by the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Violence Reduction Network, is a tertiary prevention initiative targeting individuals aged 14 and above involved in group-related violence and associated crime (e.g. drug supply and weapon possession). It aims to reduce serious violence by offering tailored support focused on hope, opportunity, and connection, delivered by a multi-agency team including Community Navigators with lived experience.
This support is balanced with a focused deterrence approach: clear communication of consequences for continued violence, followed by enforcement and disruption if necessary. Participants are selected based on a multi-agency panel assessment, using data and intelligence to identify those within violent groups who have recent arrests or suspicions related to serious violence.
The programme is funded by YEF, which is also supporting an impact evaluation by the University of Hull.
The role of a Community Navigator
Community Navigators act as mentors to young people who have been involved in serious violence. Crae and Toni have worked on The Phoenix Programme for the last 18 months, and share their roles, responsibilities and impact of the work on those they support.
Building trust as a Community Navigator
First, we hear from Crae, who talks about his personal experiences growing up, as well as engaging with young people who are referred to The Phoenix Programme. He believes it’s important to build trust, and that Community Navigators aren’t seen as someone who ‘punishes’, but can steer in the right direction.
Showing young people that change is possible, regardless of your current circumstances.
Toni, says “I’m not a probation officer, I’m not a prison officer and I’m not a youth justice worker. I’m somebody that’s gone through the same kind of experience or similar kind of experiences and I’d like to think that I’m living proof that change is possible.”
What benefits do Community Navigators bring to young people?
Crae and Toni, alongside a wider team of navigators support a number of young people, all with a different set of circumstances.
How do young people engage with Community Navigators?
A young person working with Crae said, “I needed a bit of direction because I think in this time now, a lot of direction has been lost in this day and age of technology and all of that stuff.”
Helping young people to be the best versions of themselves.
Talking about The Phoenix Progamme, a young person working with Toni said, “At first I just thought it was something to do with the police or something like that. But then as, as it’s got on and as I’ve started going to these things, what the Phoenix programme had put forward to me, I can see that they’re just trying to help me out and trying to get the better of me.”