Coming soon: Theatre Boy – a short film designed to raise awareness of the escalating knife crime crisis affecting young people across the UK. This powerful film, produced by young activists, not only reveals the harsh realities of knife crime but also calls for immediate policy changes and collaborative action to address this issue.
With over 50,000 knife-related offences recorded in England and Wales last year, the need for intervention is clear. Alarmingly, 1 in 4 knife crime victims is under the age of 18, making it crucial that we prioritise the protection and education of our young people. Integrate UK’s film and its educational campaigns provide a platform for young voices to be heard and for change to take root.

Aligning with National Efforts: The UK Government’s 10-Year Plan

This film launch couldn’t come at a more critical time. The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has recently introduced a 10-year strategy to reduce knife crime by 50% by 2034. This plan brings together campaigners and community leaders all working toward prevention through education, stricter regulations, and community engagement.
Integrate UK’s work aligns perfectly with this strategy, using creative storytelling and advocacy to engage young people in conversations about violence prevention. Our youth-led approach complements the government’s legislative efforts, such as banning dangerous weapons and reviewing online sales of knives.

Lisa Zimmermann, CEO of Integrate UK, says:
“We are incredibly proud of the work our young people do – if we really want a better society, we need to listen to our youth and ensure their voices are part of important conversations. If we give them opportunities and platforms and really learn to listen, anything is possible.”

Empowering Youth Through Creative Storytelling

Theatre Boy is not just a film; it’s a movement led by young people, for young people. The youth-led production emphasises that those closest to the problem—young people themselves—are best positioned to drive the conversation around solutions.
Integrate UK has a rich history of using creative media, including film, music, and drama, to engage and educate young people on critical issues like knife crime, FGM, and gender inequality. Theatre Boy follows this tradition by providing a platform for youth to share their experiences and advocate for policy change.

Promoting Safer Communities Through Education

In addition to the film, Integrate UK offers comprehensive educational workshops that tackle knife crime prevention head-on. These workshops are designed to engage young people, educators, and social care professionals in discussions about:

● The root causes of youth violence: Understanding why young people feel compelled to carry knives.
● The consequences of knife crime: Highlighting both the physical and emotional impact on victims, perpetrators, and communities.
● Prevention strategies: Equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to make safer choices.

Through these workshops, young people are encouraged to challenge the status quo and to take proactive steps in creating safer communities.

Join the Movement: How You Can Help

We believe that change is possible, but it requires a collaborative effort. Here’s how you can get involved:

● Support the film: Share Theatre Boy within your networks to amplify its message.
● Engage with educational initiatives: Work with us to bring these workshops into schools and communities.
● Advocate for policy change: Help push for the introduction of mandatory knife crime prevention programs across the UK.
● Partner with us: Collaborate with Integrate UK to build long-term, sustainable solutions for youth violence.

Integrate UK’s vision extends beyond this film. We are dedicated to creating long-term change by empowering young people and fostering safer, more inclusive communities.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch Theatre Boy and our other impactful films.

For more information and to contact our team please email:
info@integrateuk.org