For inquiries about our community workshops please
Encouraging positive social values through community workshops is essential. These initiatives promote wellbeing and safety.
Encouraging positive social values through community workshops is essential. These initiatives promote wellbeing and safety.
About James Ross Hunter Youth Support
James Ross Hunter Youth Support is a non-profit organisation established in July 2014, dedicated to fostering positive social values in young people and communities. We are based at TNG Youth and Community Centre, 111 Wells Park Road, Sydenham, London SE26 6AD.
All our community workshops and activities are family-focused, aimed at nurturing and promoting positive values in our youth. With the help of community fundraising efforts and generous donations, we create impactful visual awareness campaigns, including our annual knife crime awareness poster competition, events, and educational projects.
Every pound we raise is reinvested directly into our community. Our ongoing workshops in schools promote youth wellbeing, mindfulness, respect, emotional wellbeing, and a profound understanding of the serious consequences of carrying knives. Our yearly events unite diverse organisations to combat social isolation while fostering safer streets and pathways for growth and support across all age groups.
Our Story
The organisation was founded in memory of James Ross Hunter, whose life was tragically cut short while bravely saving another from a gang attack. His poignant drawing depicting the incident inspired his mother to ignite visual awareness campaigns and ongoing connectivities, sensitising families and the public to the consequences of knife crime and the support available, a perspective not readily visible upon her arrival in the UK. Her knowledge, gained after the loss of her son James, came through her visual awareness campaigns and collaborative workshops with the Lewisham police team.
In 2019, Five Years Later: Memoirs from a Mother's Diary was published and is now used by Collet in her workshop deliveries on 'realistic optimism.' This was complemented by the launch of her 'WFC' programme (Waking Moments, Following Through, and Closures), drawing on her lived experience of losing her son to knife crime five years after moving from the Caribbean.
Our Impact
Nominated for the Lewisham Mayor Award, we are recognised for our commitment to community service and youth support. Following a report on serious violent acts, we submitted recommendations to Lewisham Council on what more can be done to reduce violence in the borough.
The 'Daisy' pin signifies our commitment to victim awareness. The white in the daisy pin represents our cherished memories, yellow signifies each sunrise and sunset, and green was added to the flowers in 2024 to symbolize hope and prosperity for future generations.
On JRHYS' 10th anniversary, a visual awareness monument was unveiled, designed by founder Collet Hunter and created by Carl Gabriel. In honour of James Ross Hunter's passing, as part of Civil Society Consulting's initiative '32 Steps to Togetherness,' JRHYS sparked discussions about trauma, contributing to a culture of care for self and others. The event featured keynote speakers and Q&A sessions where attendees shared their experiences in healing and civil society. Additionally, there were music therapy sessions and a 'healing market' with stalls offering acupuncture, sound healing, and crystal healing, accessible to all.
Get Involved
We welcome volunteers to join us in making a caring difference in our communities. Throughout May, especially during National Knife Crime Awareness Month, we run our awareness campaigns, including May Days Yellow Day, to educate the public about the consequences of carrying knives and amplify the voices of victims. On 31st May at 11:00 am, we observe a minute of silence in unity, inviting schools and organisations to engage through creative sessions leading up to this important day.
"Having the question and answer section with the children" - More community workshops on knife crime awareness - Year 6 St. Bartholomews Primary
"The children were interactive throughout the session and displayed positive social values. Recommended. Year 6 St. Michael Primary-Sydenham
"This was a deeply successful workshop focused on youth wellbeing, where the children were engaged and entertained throughout. It tackled issues relevant to young people, helping them make informed choices and understand the consequences of their actions. Thank you so much for coming in."
"The workshop was very engaging, current, and age-appropriate. The students found the information relevant to their wellbeing and appreciated the strategies presented to tackle societal challenges, contributing to safer streets for everyone."
"I will suggest that more time should be given to hands-on collaborative activities."
"A child in Year 6, chosen to participate in the suggestions section, was able to demonstrate the conversation effectively. He found the assembly incredibly engaging, especially since he usually struggles in larger groups. The book presented to each child was very inspirational. A parent approached me after reading the book their child took home and expressed their admiration for its content."
"I believe there are already some follow-up community workshops available, but perhaps these could be arranged with individual classes the day after the assembly. I enjoyed the positive and honest interactions, especially the opportunity for the children to ask questions, helping them understand the importance of peace when faced with challenges."
"We will be publishing a small article in our term newsletter to parents, referencing the brilliant work that the James Ross Hunter Foundation does. Colett, it truly speaks to the impact you've had that so many of our boys (and indeed our staff) vividly remember hearing you speak at previous events. I hope we can work with you again in the future."...Forest Hills Schools
"To see the children sitting so quietly and listening so intently is a testament to the strengths and delivery of the workshop. What a positive experience it was, and it has certainly enhanced their understanding of stop and search procedures."..... New Woodland School
"The workshop was very effective and was pitched at an appropriate level for the children. I appreciated how Collette used interactive activities to help them think about managing their emotions. The children were clearly moved by her personal story, which she told sensitively." St Michaels CE School, Sydenham London
In November 2020, JRHYS held a virtual vision awareness month as part of #daisyforvictimsuk. Established in 2014, JRHYS actively supports ongoing community workshops in schools across the Lewisham borough in London. These workshops emphasize knife crime awareness and remind young people of their rights during a stop and search exercise by the police. The initiative also highlights the support mechanisms in place for their safety at home and on the streets, promoting positive social values and youth wellbeing for safer streets.
Our yearly events promote positive social values and community engagement, including the following:
* Community Spring Event held on the bank holiday at the end of May, which takes place on the 4th Friday, focusing on youth wellbeing and safer streets.
* Annual Community Christmas Social for families, scheduled for the 3rd Friday in December, to foster connections and support among residents.
* JRHYS Healing "SIP n TALK" community workshops (ongoing), designed to address knife crime awareness and promote a safe environment.
*JRHYS annual anti knife-crime poster competition is ongoing, serving as an essential visual awareness initiative in schools and communities, aimed at spreading knife crime awareness.
*Join the "Daisy4victimsuk" fundraiser by wearing a daisy pin to support the JRHYS "Visual awareness matters" project. We believe that visual awareness fosters positive social values and opens avenues for communicating and supporting vulnerable children, ultimately promoting safer streets by addressing the serious consequences of carrying knives.
*Our Life Journey travel scheme assists young people with travel expenses to college and apprenticeships, strengthening youth wellbeing.
*Participate in our personal challenge fundraiser to highlight your passions and raise funds for us. The choice is yours, and so is the timing!
*Join the JRHYS Quarterly Community Birthday Club—celebrate together, building connections within our community.
*Participate in the JRHYS Healing 1-2-1 "SIP n TALK" community workshops designed for families, focusing on supporting youth wellbeing and strengthening community ties.
*With JRHYS pOt 'O LuV, choose the time and place to cook up a treat for fundraising, reinforcing our commitment to positive social values.
*Engage in our Socking for charity initiative by wearing mix-match socks, stockings, or gloves to raise awareness visually and support our mission.
It was a pleasure to support my dear friend Collet with the incredible charity @jamesrosshunteryouthsupport. I created a winter wonderland stage complete with a falling snow effect for an amazing showcase of talent. The show truly demonstrated our community's positivity and hope, addressing the pressing issue of knife crime awareness and its impact on our youth. Collet shared a moving story about her journey from Jamaica to London with her sons. She recounted how James, who sadly is no longer with us, experienced snow for the first time and innocently asked, 'Mum, is it dangerous?' Just a few years later, he became a tragic victim of knife crime while trying to help someone else. Our initiative aims to promote youth wellbeing and foster positive social values in the community, paving the way for safer streets. ... Neil Ellis (Brilliant Neon Ltd)
'Loving the family vibe... happy to help whenever possible; keep your light shining.'.. Bright Johnson
'Full of heart'... Vima Rowe (Jazz Singer Extraordinaire)
'Your commitment, work, and mission to challenge knife crime is quite inspiring.' Cllr Liam Curran... (Labour Councillor)
'Beautiful, just beautiful... blessed people.'.. Trixie Lea (Entertainer)
'Keep up the great work.'.. LaShawn Durden
'Very energetic and a good breath of fresh air.'... Sydenham Community feedback
'Collet was very clear in her words and explanations, and I love how you involved even the younger children... and I cherished my hug from your son.'.. T. Simpson
'Quite informative. Learnt a lot.'..
'Mindful practices for children.'..
'An honor to interview one of the toughest but most loving women I know.'.. Aimy Agginie
As a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering positive social values, we strive to make the world a better, happier place. With the invaluable support of our tireless staff, we organise fundraisers, community workshops, and training sessions focused on knife crime awareness to enhance youth wellbeing. Through these efforts, we aim to promote safer streets and build a stronger community.
Are you passionate about our mission to foster positive social values in the community? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us realize our vision of safer streets and improved youth wellbeing. We'll assist you in finding a volunteer opportunity that suits your skills best. We're excited to welcome you to our team! To
Are you passionate about our mission to foster positive social values in the community? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us realize our vision of safer streets and improved youth wellbeing. We'll assist you in finding a volunteer opportunity that suits your skills best. We're excited to welcome you to our team! To join our volunteer force, please contact us at info.jrhysfoundation@gmail.com or call us to arrange an interview at 02086983150 or 07436946988.
Hello Community Changer!! As a bereavement volunteer, you have the chance to make a real difference in someone's life, especially in the wake of a loss, when families and friends feel immense pain. Anyone can apply to contribute positively, as no specific qualifications are needed; simply your time and experiences are enough. All genders, ages, races, and cultures from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to join. You will receive specialist training in bereavement awareness, equipping you with the necessary skills to support others while also participating in community workshops focused on knife crime awareness.
Additional volunteer roles include various responsibilities such as project coordination, which involves creating, coordinating, controlling, and monitoring progress, as well as serving as a volunteer coordinator for parent mentorship. You will also maintain and organize data related to contacts and administrative duties, and contribute to the running of activities at events that promote community engagement.
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wishing to share their passion or enhance their community engagement skills. Full training, support, and a uniform will be provided. JRHYS has a strong history of supporting the Lewisham borough since its inception in 2014, and we encourage all volunteers to attend four workshop inductions, which will include individual training sessions focused on listening skills, working with young people, safeguarding, and mentorship.
Whether you support our community workshops, make monetary donations, volunteer your time, or help spread knife crime awareness through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't achieve our goals of promoting positive social values and creating safer streets without the help of supporters like you, committed to enhancing youth wellbeing.
Thank you for your support.
Collet Hunter
Founder
Dear Friends, connecting with every home at this time is vital. Stay home, stay safe, and keep the beauty of spring within us while we engage in community workshops aimed at promoting positive social values.
This year, for the first time, our annual poster competition is hosted online. Fresh with beautiful thoughts, we remember and embrace the memories of our precious children lost to knife crime, rising each day to encourage families who continue to bring light and life into their journey as they seek safer streets.
A daisy in memory of lives taken too soon serves as a reminder that victims struggle with healing every second. Join us in spreading awareness about knife crime and its impact on youth wellbeing. #visualawarenessmatters. Thank you for your support.
All are welcome to participate, with no age limit.
What's your favorite dAiSy moment?
Paint, draw, or share via link
https://jamesrosshunteryouthsupport.org/
info.jrhysfoundation@gmail.com
In the meantime, please #staysafe.
Youth violence, Wellbeing, Legacies, Victim support "Waking moments, Following through & Closures"
Motto:- "Encouraging positive social values in youths and communities"