This week, as part of a Cannock Chase District Council initiative, we had the privilege of welcoming Alison Cope to our school. This event is part of a wider effort involving schools across the district, in collaboration with the School Alliance – which includes the police, social services, and local schools.

Alison, the mother of Joshua Ribera, who tragically lost his life to knife crime in 2013, now works tirelessly to educate young people on the realities and consequences of youth violence. The overarching message from Alison was to speak out and look after each other and to always think of your loved ones at home, and to reflect on how the decisions you make impact them.

Her powerful and emotive presentations highlight:

• The importance of prevention
• The impact of choices on loved ones
• The dangers of social media
• An introduction to the joint enterprise law

Following the success of her previous visit to CTA, we were keen to welcome Alison back. However, her work extends far beyond our school – Alison will be visiting multiple schools across the area throughout the week, ensuring that as many young people as possible hear this life-changing message.

Part of the campaign was to create a Deepfake video of Joshua, which takes place after Alison speaks within this video, to raise awareness of the dangers associated with knife crime.

If you would like more information on how to support your child with this matter, you can visit Alison’s webpage here.

Together, as a community, we can work towards a safer future for our young people.