Gangs ruin lives. Lives not Knives is dedicated to showing young people they have other options. We want to stop the younger ones before they get caught up in gang life, and help gang members get out before it’s too late.
Who we are
We are a group of 16-21 year olds who have all experienced or have friends who have experienced being a victim or perpetrator of knife/violent crime.
Where we're based
We meet in Croydon Turnaround Centre.
When we started
Eliza founded LNK in 2007, and has since built a strong team of passionate young people around her and supporters nationwide.
How we started
We started by building awareness of the growing youth on youth knife crime locally by selling t-shirts, working with the local media and organising events that were attended by councillors, Met Police, local dignitaries, MPs and Ministers.
Our work
Presently we take LNK roadshows to 10-14 year olds in Croydon Schools to teach pre and early teens of the consequences of joining a gang and carrying a knife, and the devastating effects it has on family and friends.
Future plans
LNK would like to build LNK teams in each school - to continue what the LNK mentors have started and for each LNK team to be offered support, to act as a voice for the youth and for each LNK team to share information and help stop youth on youth crime.
Project website
Thank you so much for coming in and working with us on Friday, the children really enjoyed it as did I (they are still talking about it).
Year 6 teacher, Whitehorse Primary School.
