Being part of this film gave me the chance to share my experiences.
17-year-old Activist
About the project: Theatre Boy
Knife crime is a national crisis affecting young people in cities and communities across the UK. Theatre Boy was created by young people who wanted to confront not just the violence itself, but the wider systems and pressures that contribute to it, poverty, exclusion, toxic masculinity and online glorification. What began in Bristol became a national campaign: a youth-led short film written, produced and performed by more than 100 young people.
Through creative workshops in scriptwriting, character development, filmmaking and public speaking, participants developed storytelling, production and leadership skills while reflecting on their lived experiences. They collaborated with partners including Empire Fighting Chance, Avon and Somerset Police, Bristol City Council and Professor Craig Johnston at the University of the West of England (UWE) to ensure the work was grounded in real insight and relevance.
The film premiered at Chatham House, where youth leaders shared their stories and led a panel discussion attended by students, teachers, safeguarding professionals and government representatives. Theatre Boy is now used in schools across the UK as part of peer-led education, opening up conversations and encouraging young people to reflect, learn, and seek support.
Impact results
| Stat | Impact |
|---|---|
2630 | People attended the premiere and related events |
30 | Young people trained to deliver peer-led workshops |
98% | Of attendees said the event gave them a new perspective on knife crime (Source: Internal evaluation, 2024) |
