The Choices programme is aimed at schools staff and pupils in the time of transition from years 6 and 7. It employs social skills training, an approach to violence reduction rated as ‘high impact’ by the Youth Endowment Fund, and aims to increase protective factors, building trust in schools, police and the wider community. 

This innovative new programme was designed by Artswork in partnership with BearFace Theatre and uses creative approaches to support staff and pupils to explore the challenges young people face, empowering them to make healthy choices in an increasingly complex world.

It involves teacher training and pupils sessions delivered by teachers and BearFace Theatre. Sessions focus on reducing risk factors for violence, including knife crime, exploitation and unhealthy relationships. Three transferable techniques are used: Philosophy for young people, enquiry based learning and mantle of the expert, and delivery aims to be sustainable beyond the intervention period.

Since the beginning of the service, a total of 456 sessions have been delivered, engaging 6,827 pupils across 86 schools.