On Friday 31st March 2023, our partners came together again to kick start a 15 week project that will benefit young people in Devizes. It was attended by 22 young persons who have been invited on to the initiative.

The 2 hour launch included an hour of football coaching which allowed the youths to take part in a team sport followed by pizza, treats and an informative talk.

We were lucky enough to have been joined by Simeon Benoit, known as ‘Benny’ which was facilitated by Steve Dewar, a senior youth worker with Wiltshire Youth For Christ.

Benny, introduced himself as a former member of a London street gang called The Bush Boys, during the 1970s. He had to face up to a combination of peer pressure to be involved with gang-related street crimes and his passion for football. There came a deciding moment in his life where his mother made him confront past decisions and what his future could look like if he continued his involvement with gang culture. Fortunately for Benny, he decided to join the army and went on to have trials for West Ham as well as playing rugby at many levels.

Partners involved in the Roots & Shoots initiative are Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team and Wilts Police Early Intervention Team, Devizes Town Council, Safer Street Funding, RW Football School, Motiv8 Wiltshire, Graffiti Art, Youth Justice Team, Youth for Christ and Devizes School.