International Peace Day, an annual global call for an end to violence and the promotion of peace, holds a special place in our hearts at ACT CIC. For over a decade, we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating a safer environment in Birmingham.
On Sunday 10th September 2023, we hosted an Family Funday Event in honour of International Peace Day and the Mayor’s weekend.
Birmingham, nestled in the West Midlands, has struggled with alarming levels of youth crime and gang violence, causing turmoil in our community for far too long. ACT CIC is one of the organisations steadfastly dedicated to early prevention and intervention in youth and gang crime. Our approach involves detached youth work in the Aston area of Birmingham, where we’ve been actively engaging with young people on the streets for over a year now.
In addition to that, we provide essential training to adults through our “Working with Gangs and Youth Violence“ course, equipping them to become experts who can contribute to a domino effect in tackling the devastating rise of gang crime and youth violence.
The FUNDAY Event:
On Saturday, September 10th, 2023, we had the honour of hosting a remarkable FUNDAY event to celebrate peace and raise awareness about anti-knife crime initiatives. The event took place at Aston Park, Trinity Road, a location where our detached youth work team has been tirelessly working with young people for the past 12 months.
The highlight of the day was the launch of our bleed control kit, a critical tool in saving lives during emergencies. This kit was generously donated by The Daniel Baird Foundation, a testament to the power of community collaboration.
Community Participation:
The FUNDAY event witnessed an impressive turnout, with families, community workers, and young people coming together to celebrate a day of peace. The event even garnered media attention, including a feature on ITV news, where Teswal White had the opportunity to discuss our strategies for tackling youth crime and preventing violence in Birmingham, a city facing an escalating crisis.
Collaboration and Engaging Activities:
We joined forces with other community organisations, such as Birmingham Say’s No, to deliver workshops on how to use the bleed control kit effectively.
AG Football Coaching organised sports sessions and a football tournament to keep young people engaged and out of trouble. Jeremy Salmon, one of our detached youth workers, orchestrated a thrilling basketball tournament for the youth.
Renowned street and graffiti artist Hoakser conducted workshops, teaching young people the art of street art, which they showcased on Rising Star’s wall alongside the bleed control kit.
A Day of Joy and Unity:
The FUNDAY event offered various fun and engaging stalls, including Shake It Well, Bravo Juice, a jewellery-making stall hosted by our young volunteers, a bouncy castle, a DJ, and live performances by young talents and local individuals.
The Rastaurant stall delighted attendees with amazing food like jerk chicken, fish, and dumplings. The juice from ‘Shake It Well’ was simply delightful, and there was also a stall selling fresh coconut water and sugar cane. It was a great day with great vibes and great food!
Acknowledging Our Funders:
