A NEW COMMUNITY project is to help parents in Hackney pick up on signs of potential gang affiliation.
The project, Parents Voice which has been started by the Crib Youth Club, is being supported by Hackney and will give parents who are concerned to come together in discussion.
They will have the chance to speak in a non-judgemental environment to learn what the signs of being in a gang are and what to do if they have reasons for concern.
It provides a support network to parents whose children have been affected by gang violence, where they can share their experience with parents who have concerns about their children becoming involved with a gang.
Hackney’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sophie Linden
, said: “I have been really impressed by Parents Voice. They are providing much needed support and advice to parents on how to understand and help their children.
“This project shows how local communities can come together to help and support each other. Parents Voice gives people an opportunity to come together and talk about some very real and difficult issues.”
Some of the signs to look out for include:
- Has he started hanging around with a new group friends? Maybe you’ve never met them
- Has she got new clothes or footwear and you don’t know how she bought them?
- Maybe he’s started dressing differently, wearing clothes of a certain colour?
- Does he seem to have more money than usual, money that can’t be accounted for?
- Has he suddenly become more moody or aggressive?
- Has she suddenly become distant or very secretive about what she’s up to or where she’s going?
- Is he going missing from school or staying out late?
She added: “We know many parents feel alone, and through the group sessions parents are given information about what to look out for. They are also given access to the much needed help and support that is available to them and their children.”
Sessions also cover issues such as sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, cyber bullying and drug use. Parents can find out where they can go for help if they have concerns about any of these issues. Alongside Council officers and advisors from the Crib, police officers from Trident and other organisations such as Off Centre, an organisation offering mental health support also attends to answer questions and give advice.
Kelly Reid, Crib project worker, one of the project initiators said: “Most parents aren’t bad parents, they’re just busy and they don’t know some of the signs to look out for. We want to empower them so they better understand the world that some of their children are growing up in.”
The sessions have been up and running since May 2015 and are held at estates and community centres across the borough. A guide for concerned parents will also be available in the coming months, focusing on the signs parents should look out for and the support services available.
Project worker Kelly continued: “In our sessions we want people to know that nobody will judge them, and that they can speak openly. We discuss real situations such as, someone giving their child a new pair of trainers. Why would somebody do that? Chances are they will have to ‘work’ to pay the money back. This can be a ‘sign’, and a step into being part of a gang, sometimes the young people don’t even realise what’s happening to them.”
The Council’s family support service provides early intervention and support, alongside a number of other services such as its youth services, drug and alcohol and domestic abuse teams. Through early intervention programs, they can provide targeted support for young people and their families. This includes improving school attendance and maximising the opportunities for access to employment and training.
Other organisations that the Council works with include Safer London Foundation, Lawson Foundation, Mentivation, St Giles, City and Hackney Mind.
Next session will be held in Hoxton.
