Prevent 2 Protect

23/06/2026

Prevent 2 Protect – Thank You Summary for Gang for Life Project!
Prevent 2 Protect would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to every school, teacher, pupil, donor and grant‑maker who helped make the Gang for Life workshops possible across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire.

Because of your support, we were able to deliver projects that genuinely protects children from gangs, grooming and exploitation, giving them the confidence and knowledge they need to stay safe and make positive choices.

Our Shared Impact
Thanks to your generosity, hundreds of pupils took part in the Gang for Life Project — and their feedback speaks volumes.

What pupils told us before the workshop
Many children:

were unsure what gangs actually do

didn’t understand grooming or County Lines

lacked confidence to say NO

didn’t know who to turn to for help

left key safeguarding questions blank

This showed us exactly why early intervention is so important.

What pupils told us after the workshop
The change was powerful. Pupils could clearly explain:

the real risks of gangs (violence, prison, manipulation, being used)

how grooming works and how to spot it

who they can talk to if they feel unsafe

how to make safer choices

how sport can support confidence, wellbeing and positive identity

Confidence scores rose significantly, and uncertainty dropped across every safeguarding question.

One of the strongest themes was the impact of real lived‑experience story. Pupils repeatedly said it helped them understand how quickly things can go wrong — and how important it is to make the right choice early.

Would they recommend the workshop to others?
A clear majority said YES, because:

“It keeps you safe”

“You learn the truth about gangs”

“It helps you say no”

“The real story teaches you a lot”

Your support made this possible.

Our Thanks
To our donors and grant‑makers:
Your funding directly protected children. Every pound helped us deliver high‑quality safeguarding education, sports‑based resilience sessions, and lived‑experience learning that pupils will remember for life.

To our schools and teachers:
Thank you for welcoming us into your classrooms and trusting us with your pupils’ safety and wellbeing.

To the children:
Thank you for your honesty, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to learn how to stay safe and make positive choices.

Together, we have made a real difference
Because of you, young people across the North West are now:

more aware

more confident

more resilient

and better protected from exploitation

Prevent 2 Protect is proud of what we’ve achieved together — and excited to continue this vital work with your support.

16/06/2026

Feedback received from The Olive School in Bolton after the delivery of our Gang for Life Project.
"The learning outcomes from the workshop were clearly reflected in the pupils’ responses before and after the session. Pupils showed a much stronger understanding of gangs, grooming and knife crime, moving away from misconceptions and stereotypes towards a more accurate understanding of the risks and how to keep themselves safe. The pupils were fully engaged throughout and particularly enjoyed hearing the real-life stories and taking part in the sports activities, which many described as the most memorable parts of the workshop. The balance of lived experience, practical activities and clear safeguarding messages helped pupils to stay engaged whilst building their knowledge and confidence to make positive choices. I would definitely recommend this workshop to other year groups and schools. It is an engaging and effective way to educate young people about gangs and exploitation, whilst promoting positive alternatives and encouraging them to seek help from trusted adults when needed.
Thank you for delivering such an important and impactful workshop. We really appreciate the time, effort and expertise that went into the session, and the positive difference it has made to our pupils."

15/06/2026

12/06/2026

Great work at Pikes Lane Primary School in Bolton, delivering our Gang for Life Project to year 6 students

12/06/2026

Feedback received from Year 6 teacher at St Ethelberts Primary School in Bolton after delivering our Gang for Life Project and providing our learning outcomes report........
"Firstly, I found the workshop to be extremely valuable, age-appropriate and highly relevant to the safeguarding needs of our pupils.
The learning outcomes were accurate and clearly reflected what we see day-to-day in school. Before the workshop, many pupils had some awareness that gangs were dangerous, but their understanding was often based on media, social media, video games or general stereotypes. Some pupils also held misconceptions, such as believing gangs could offer protection, friendship, loyalty or status. After the workshop, there was a clear improvement in pupils’ understanding. They were much more able to explain grooming, pressure, bribery, false friendship, County Lines, knife crime, exploitation and the importance of seeking help from a trusted adult.
A particularly strong outcome was the children’s improved understanding of how young people can be groomed into gangs. The pupils were able to recognise that gang members may appear friendly at first, offer gifts, money, protection or belonging, and then gradually increase pressure and control. This is a very important safeguarding message for Year 6 pupils, especially as they prepare for transition to secondary school.
The data also shows a significant improvement in pupils’ understanding of County Lines. Before the workshop, most pupils either did not know what this meant or gave unclear answers. After the workshop, many pupils were able to explain that County Lines involves young people being used to transport or sell drugs, often across different areas, and that this can involve grooming, force and exploitation.
The knife crime element was also very effective. Before the workshop, some pupils had unsafe beliefs around knives, including the idea that a knife could protect them, scare someone away or be used in self-defence. After the workshop, pupils’ responses were much safer and more legally accurate. Most pupils understood that carrying a knife is illegal, increases danger, can lead to arrest or prison, and can be used against them.
Pupil engagement was excellent. The children listened carefully, asked questions and responded well to hearing Jason’s real-life story. The personal testimony was powerful because it made the learning feel real rather than abstract. Several pupils referred to Jason’s story afterwards, showing that it had a memorable and emotional impact. The sports circuit was also a very positive part of the workshop. It gave pupils a practical, active experience and linked well to the message that sport can support mental health, physical health, confidence, discipline and positive choices. Many pupils had not used some of the equipment before, so this also gave them a new and enjoyable experience.
From a safeguarding perspective, the most important themes were grooming, false friendship, peer pressure, knife crime, County Lines, trusted adults, safe places and the importance of saying no. The workshop gave pupils clear language and strategies to help them recognise risk and know what to do if they or someone they know feels unsafe. It also highlighted a small number of responses that staff may want to follow up pastorally, which is helpful from a school safeguarding point of view.
I would definitely recommend this workshop to other Year 6 classes and primary schools. I also think it would be very useful for pupils in upper Key Stage 2, particularly Years 5 and 6, as the content supports transition, online safety, personal safety, PSHE and safeguarding education. The combination of real-life testimony, clear teaching and physical activity made the session engaging, memorable and impactful.
Overall, the workshop had a clear and measurable impact on pupils’ knowledge, confidence and safeguarding awareness. It challenged misconceptions, improved pupils’ understanding of grooming and exploitation, and gave them practical advice about how to stay safe and seek help. We are very grateful that our pupils had the opportunity to take part.
Thank you again and I really hope we are able to book in again next year."

03/06/2026

Feedback received from Bolton Impact Trust PRU from our visit earlier this year delivering our Gang for Life Workshops.

"As an alternative provision, we are always looking for effective ways to support our pupils in managing their behaviour within the community, developing a range of strategies they can draw upon, and integrating positively into society. For the past few years, we have worked with the Prevent2Protect team to provide this support, and their contribution has been invaluable.
The sessions they deliver are engaging, well-structured, and highly relevant to the needs of our pupils. Their delivery style, content, and intended outcomes consistently resonate with both pupils and staff, resulting in exceptional levels of participation and engagement.
We greatly value the support, expertise, and professionalism of the Prevent2Protect team and have seen a positive impact on our pupils as a result of their work. We look forward to continuing our partnership and booking further sessions in the future."

20/05/2026

Feedback received from The Swinton Co-Op Academy in Salford
"I would like to provide some feedback on the recent course you delivered to a range of our students.
The life lessons learned and the consequences received from negative behaviour were a real insight into what can happen in life if we do not make the right choices. The course clearly demonstrated the downward spiral that criminality can lead to, while equally showing how it is possible to turn your life around and become the best version of yourself.
The tutors were a real success and delivered powerful messages about personal responsibility, change, and positive representation. It was also a real insight into prison life and how miserable those circumstances can be, which will hopefully act as a huge deterrent for our students moving forward.
Thank you again for delivering such an impactful and thought-provoking course."

12/05/2026

Feedback from St Josephs RC Primary in Bolton following our Gang for Life Project...

"We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the team from the Prevent2Potect Gang for Life Project for visiting our primary school in January and delivering such a meaningful and impactful programme for our Year 6 pupils.
The visit combined two highly engaging elements:
A physical activity session held in the school hall
An educational workshop delivered in the Year 6 classroom
Prior to the visit, our pupils completed questionnaires designed to assess their existing knowledge and understanding of gangs and gang life. Following the sessions, pupils completed the same questionnaires again to measure the impact of the programme on their awareness, understanding, and attitudes. Post visit we were also provided with a detailed analysis of the completed questionnaires which was hugely helpful in terms of planning our next steps.
Both sessions were incredible and fully engaged all of our children from start to finish. The balance between physical activity and classroom discussion worked exceptionally well and ensured that pupils remained focused, motivated, and actively involved throughout.
The educational session was delivered in an age-appropriate, honest, and sensitive manner. Important messages around gangs, peer pressure, consequences, personal choices, and staying safe were communicated clearly and effectively. Staff felt that the facilitators built positive relationships with pupils very quickly, creating an environment where children felt comfortable participating and asking questions.
The physical activity session was equally valuable, promoting teamwork, resilience, communication, and positive engagement. It provided an excellent opportunity for pupils to build confidence while reinforcing key messages around positive decision-making and belonging.
Pupils were able to reflect thoughtfully on what they had learned and many showed increased confidence in discussing the important topics explored during the session."

School staff were extremely impressed with the professionalism, energy, and approach used throughout the programme. The sessions were well planned, engaging, and tailored appropriately for a primary school audience.

The project successfully delivered difficult but essential messages in a way that was both memorable and empowering for pupils. The combination of education and physical activity ensured excellent participation and impact across the whole cohort.

We would highly recommend the programme to other schools and would welcome the opportunity to work with the project again in the future.

12/05/2026

Feedback received from Monton Green Primary School in Salford after our Gang for Life workshop delivery......
"We would like to thank Prevent to Protect for delivering such an engaging and informative workshop for our Year 6 pupils.
The session was presented in a clear, age-appropriate, and sensitive manner, which enabled the children to engage confidently with some very serious topics. Pupils responded particularly well to the interactive discussions and real-life scenarios, which helped them to understand the risks associated with gangs, grooming, carrying weapons, and drug-related activity.
The workshop successfully reinforced key safeguarding messages, including how to recognise warning signs, resist peer pressure, stay safe, and seek support from trusted adults. We especially valued the strong focus on empowering children to make positive choices and challenging the perception that gangs are “cool” or desirable.
Staff felt the content was highly relevant for pupils preparing for transition to secondary school, and the session supported our wider PSHE and safeguarding curriculum effectively.
Thank you again for providing such an impactful and worthwhile experience for our children."

12/05/2026

Feedback received from St Maxientus Primary School in Bolton after the delivery of our Gang for Life Project....
"The workshop and session follow up were fantastic. The way in which you interacted with the children so openly and honestly was very refreshing and as the data shows, their understanding of the content covered grew immensely during the day.
The topic is very important to cover at the moment with a need for increased awareness - so projects like this are pivotal to giving the children that "real life" education that so many of them lack.
Thanks again for your great work and we hope to have you back next year."