The charity, Head Held High, was founded in Haringey by Tash Alexander to provide young people with an outlet for their emotions and a positive path forward.
Its potential closure comes at a worrying time. In 2023/24, there was a 9% increase in the number of children convicted or cautioned for violent offences in England and Wales – the first rise after five years of decline.
The organisation offers interactive, motivational workshops in schools that help children move beyond negative thought patterns, build confidence, and develop the tools to communicate assertively.
For Ms Alexander, the urgency of the work has never been clearer.
She said: “I was devastated at how many young people we were losing to knife crime. There are so many young people resorting to violence as a first option.”
The group gives young people the support to redefine themselves and not be dominated by their past actions, limited self-beliefs or their environment.
Ms Alexander said: “It’s about feeling the changes on the inside and then making the change on the outside.”
One of its flagship initiatives, ‘Stand Up For Yourself’, uses stand-up comedy as a powerful vehicle for self-expression. Participants are guided to explore personal challenges, find their voice, and even find humour in hardship.
Ro Dodgson, 22, is one of its many success stories and is now a professional comedian.
Ro said: “The course came at an interesting time for me as I was just coming out of a mental health crisis. This helped me view things from a new angle and find a new perspective.
“What the programme did for me was to help me look at my life experiences including the painful ones, and find the funny in them.”
“Since the comedy course, I now look for the funny in everyday experiences. There are still days where I struggle with my mental health but thanks to comedy, there are now days when I thrive.”
Head Held High is currently preparing for its third annual fundraiser comedy night, ‘Stand Up For Head Held High’, on November 25.
The show will feature some of the UK’s top comedic talent, including Nish Kumar, Kerri Godliman, Laura Smyth and host Tom Ward.
Alexander aims to reach as many children as possible and help them walk with their heads held high but donors are urgently needed to carry on this crucial work.
As knife crime and youth violence threaten to rise again, Head Held High offers a way forward for young children. But without funding, its doors may soon close on the very children who need it most.
You can find more information for Head Held High on their website https://headheldhigh.org.uk/ or on their instagram: @Headheldhighldn
