The Synergy Network (SN) is standing with those families and communities that have been impacted by Violence Against Young People (VAYP) at the start of this year. Since early January, three young people have lost their lives to knife-related violence, the last of whom was Harvey Willgoose, 15-year-old student at All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield, who was stabbed to death at school on 3 February 2025. There have been other incidents that have seen young people hospitalised after knife-related incidents.
SN is a growing coalition of churches, para-church groups, Christian agencies and organisations working to end serious youth violence in Britain and Ireland, and its Chair, Bishop Lenford Rowe, said, ‘It is so heartbreaking that the new year has started in such tragic circumstances with such losses of life, and others being forced to live with life changing injuries. We want to offer our condolences to all family members who have lost loved ones in such a violent way. We also offer our sympathy to anyone who witnessed these awful events, as we know that professional assistance is sometimes needed to deal with the trauma.’
SN continues to push forward on its efforts to engage with British Government officials, especially in the Home Office, and various civil society organisations, all of whom are determined to bring an end to the knife crime epidemic, and violence against young people. However, it recognises that it will take a concerted, joined-up approach to make the changes that we all want to see.
It is therefore calling on churches, parachurch organisations and Christians to pray for our young people, as well as write to their Member of Parliament about their concerns. Equally, concerned parties could also make financial contributions to the various charities and groups involved in this work, or volunteer in youth clubs or become mentors for young people.
Bishop Rowe adds: ‘We also want people to get involved with the SN’s ‘One Pledge One Change’ campaign, which we are running in the lead-up to the Standing Together Weekend on the 19 and 20 July 2025.’
Churches and others can find out more about these exciting events from the SN website.
In particular, the SN is encouraging faith leaders to support its campaign, and consider what pledge they can make towards making the streets safer for our young people.
For further information contact:
Joanna Brown
Synergy Network lead
Email: coordinator@wearesynergy.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
BACKGROUND
Synergy Network: Churches and Communities Taking a Stand is a growing coalition of churches, para-church groups, Christian agencies and organisations working to end serious youth violence in Britain and Ireland. These organisations came together to organise the groundbreaking Standing Together day of Prayer and Action rally at Trafalgar Square, central London on 6 April 2019, which was a call to action for churches to stand alongside those affected by violent crime in Britain. See: https://wearesynergy.org.uk/
Bishop Lenford Rowe serves as the current chairperson of the SN. Bishop Rowe was the regional overseer for the Church of God of Prophecy in South London for many years. He is a trained counsellor and teacher.