Godwin Lawson Foundation

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Godwin Lawson Foundation

Charity aiming to raise awareness of the positive role that sport & education can have in challenging gang culture & the use of weapons as a status symbol.

The Godwin Lawson Foundation was set up in memory of my son, Godwin, who was tragically killed in a knife crime in 2010. Thank you for wanting to find out more about the charity and our work to tackle the causes of knife crime in London, as well as across the UK. We are a charity aiming to raise awareness of the positive role that sport and education can have in challenging gang culture and the use of weapons as a status symbol. Yvonne Lawson

06/08/2026

🎉 Big news! We are officially an AQA Accredited Centre!

This is a huge milestone for the Godwin Lawson Foundation and an exciting new chapter in our mission to create opportunities through education, sport and personal development.

Being an AQA Accredited Centre means we can now deliver nationally recognised qualifications from Entry Level to Level 3, helping both young people and adults gain valuable skills, confidence and accredited achievements that employers recognise.

Our programmes will cover areas including:
✅ Employability Skills
✅ Health & Wellbeing
✅ Business & Administration
✅ IT & Digital Skills
✅ Leadership
✅ Mentoring
✅ Community Work
…and much more.

This accreditation strengthens our commitment to breaking down barriers and opening doors for people in our communities.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to help even more people learn, achieve and succeed.

If you’re interested in gaining new skills, earning accredited qualifications or finding out more about our programmes, get in touch.

Together, we’re building brighter futures. 💙

03/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 Godwin Lawson Memorial Tournament such a special day. ❤️⚽ Held Tottenham Hotspur training ground and organised by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation

From the players, volunteers, sponsors and partners to the families, supporters and community organisations who joined us, every one of you helped honour Godwin Lawson’s legacy and create an inspiring day for young people.

We were proud to welcome Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Mayor of Haringey Councillor Dawn Barnes, the Chief Executive of the Premier League and so many organisations committed to giving young people positive opportunities and helping tackle knife crime.

A huge thank you to our long-standing partners, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, for their continued support. Together, we are using the power of football to inspire hope, build resilience, encourage positive choices and strengthen our communities.

Most importantly, thank you to every young person who took part. Your teamwork, respect and determination are exactly why this tournament exists. You are the future, and we’re proud to stand alongside you.

The tournament may be over, but our work continues. Together, we’ll keep creating opportunities, supporting young people and building safer, stronger communities.

💙 Thank you for being part of the journey.

YouthEmpowerment PositiveChange EndKnifeCrime YouthViolencePrevention InspiringYoungPeople StrongerCommunities TogetherWeCan FootballCommunity Haringey LondonCommunity Legacy SportForChange MakingADifference

06/06/2026

We are utterly heartbroken by the tragic death of Henry Nowak.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Henry’s parents, family, friends and the wider community who are now facing an unimaginable loss.

At times like these, words never feel enough. There is nothing that can truly ease the pain of losing a child, and our hearts go out to everyone who knew and loved Henry.

As a Foundation established in memory of Godwin Lawson, we know only too well the devastating and lifelong impact that violence has on families and communities. Every young life lost is one too many.

While we mourn Henry’s death, we must also be prepared to learn from it. Difficult questions need to be asked, and where lessons can be learned, they must be. This includes all agencies involved, including the police, local authorities, schools, community organisations and wider society. We owe it to Henry, his family and every young person to understand whether more could have been done and how future tragedies can be prevented.

Now is a time for compassion, reflection and action.

Henry’s life mattered. He will not be forgotten.

Pic - family handout to media

20/05/2026

Twelve years on, we pause to reflect, give thanks, and look ahead.

The Godwin Lawson Foundation was established to honour the memory of Godwin Lawson, who heroically lost his life protecting his friends from a knife attack. Today, GLF continues to stand as a beacon of hope, committed to empowering young people and helping build safer, stronger communities.

For over a decade, our mission has remained clear — to help young people move away from the dangers of gang violence and towards opportunity, confidence, purpose and positive futures.

As we reflect on this journey, we want to pay tribute to our founding trustees and past board members whose leadership, commitment and belief helped shape the Foundation into what it is today. Your contribution has created lasting impact for countless young people and families.

We also remember with heartfelt gratitude the late Richard Taylor OBE, whose legacy remains woven into the story of GLF.

As one chapter closes, another begins. We are proud to welcome our new trustees:
Olaide Oboh, Keziah Lawson, Joseph Akwaboa and Jordan Mattis, joining existing trustees Anna Christensson and Dr Margaret Thorli.

Together, they bring a wealth of experience across youth development, governance, social impact, law and community engagement as we continue our work with renewed purpose and ambition.

Thank you to every supporter, volunteer, trustee, partner and young person who has been part of the GLF journey over the past 12 years.

The work continues.

20/05/2026

As part of Knife Crime Awareness Week 2026, young people came together through a partnership between the Godwin Lawson Foundation and Tottenham Hotspur’s Kicks programme to have honest and powerful conversations around knife crime, joint enterprise, peer pressure, decision-making and the lasting impact violence can have on individuals, families and communities.

The session led by Yvonne and Demari from Jellot youth club encouraged young people to think about consequences, influence and the importance of making positive choices, even under pressure.

Most importantly, all 30 young people made a pledge not to carry a knife.

Change starts with education, opportunity, trusted conversations and giving young people the confidence to choose a different path.

Huge credit to everyone involved in creating a safe and impactful space for these discussions to happen.

21/04/2026

Discussing the recent research of Knife crime 2 school aged children die in a month from knife crime horrifying @ channel 5 with Dan Walker TV
Children from adverse childhood experiences more at risk

Address

639 High Road
London
N178AA

Website

http://www.godwinlawson.org.uk/

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