On Saturday 24 February 2024, 17 young people who attend the Gambian Welfare Society Leeds Youth Club in Holbeck, visited Royal Armouries and the knife Angel Sculpture that was on display outside, under the supervision of Youth Development Worker Rohie N’Dow. The Knife Angel Sculpture which has been touring the United Kingdom was on display at the Royal Armouries during the month of February for one month.
The sculpture is made up of 100,000 knives seized from the public, then used to create a magnificent Knife Angel sculpture which is to raise awareness of how dangerous and serious knife crime is and remains a concerning issue within communities.
The children that went on this visit, commented on the size of the sculpture which is twenty-seven feet tall and were surprised that the statue is made of knives removed from the public. Conversations were had with the children around the statue about the negative effects of violent behaviour, using knives or other weapons, the children also used their mobile phones to take photos of the statue. The afternoon was an empowering and positive experience to a complex issue surrounding serious youth and adult violence.
Youth Development Worker Rohie Ndow said:
“It was a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness of the consequences of using knives to cause injury and death.”
Funded by Leeds City Council’s Inner South Community Committee, the youth club runs sessions every Friday and Saturday from 6-8pm at Oak House, Balm Walk, Holbeck, LS11 9PG.
This post is based on a press release issued by The Gambian Welfare Society Leeds
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