X-it programme

By Tamsin

The recent Dispatches programme that explored the reasons why ‘kids kill’ left me intrigued -especially since it was set in Lambeth and the east end of Glasgow - as I’ve lived in both areas. Although the government have been debating the issue of gang violence over the last year, I still found it hard to comprehend the true reasons of why kids get seduced into gang culture.

The documentary researchers spent time with kids on their turf gaining a deeper understanding of their behaviour and history. Yes, poverty, prejudice and unemployment are rife but a main insight into why these kids get into violent situations is that they are bored. Little opportunities mean they have nothing to do. As one guy put it ‘trouble is something that I just got into, there is nothing else going on.’

In an attempt to ease the pressure of kids being seduced into gang culture a youth service, X-it was launched in Lambeth. The programme has certainly proven to be effective to the extent that it won The Guardian Public Services Award in 2007 for children’s services. 

X-it offers support, group work sessions, residential courses and leadership programmes. Peer mentors and youth workers target teenage crew members at “hotspots” - areas where young people’s criminal activity is causing problems. Fundamental to the programme is that leadership comes from ex-gang members themselves as peer mentors. An evaluation of the programme showed that 72 per cent of participants (18 of 25 young people) had desisted from offending during their involvement with the programme.

X-it demonstrates a co-creative approach to designing meaningful services that are innovative and have the right options, staff and facilities and appropriate incentives like reward and recognition for the kids. Although this programme is a great example, there is obviously a widespread need for innovative youth services across the UK, so let’s hope we see many more to come.