November 26, 2021. News

Downing Street reception held to celebrate the Damilola Taylor Trust and look ahead to the Day of Hope 2021

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP hosted an event at No. 10 yesterday ahead of the annual Day of Hope which takes place on Tuesday 7 December, created by the Hope Collective in memory of Damilola Taylor and held to inspire young people.

Stan Gilmour, Director of the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit attended the event as we continue to work with the Hope Collective, a partnership set up to create change for young people and communities across the UK, supporting the most vulnerable to be free of poverty, violence and discrimination. 

Tuesday 7 December – Day of Hope 2022

Damilola Taylor was just 10 when we died from a stab wound in 2000

10-year-old Damilola Taylor dreamed of being a doctor. Shortly before his untimely death on 27 November 2000, he wrote of his hope to change the world.

In his memory and to take forward that dream, the Day of Hope was established by the Hope Collective. Held on 7 December, marking Damilola’s birthday, the Day of Hope provides an opportunity to inspire young people to lead full and positive lives and celebrates their potential.

Through social media channels, local events, discussions in schools and local community action it is hoped to promote the day and its message of hope and inspiration.  

This year, Tuesday 7 December, the Day of Hope will be supported by organisations across the UK, including the #iwill campaign which encourages greater participation in social action by young people.

Hope is a vital ingredient, especially in our most socially-challenged communities, and after a year where young people have faced enormous challenges – to their health, wellbeing, education and employment opportunities – this is chance to celebrate young people’s hopes for the future and amplify their voices when it comes to shaping it.

We encourage any organisation or individual to celebrate the Day of Hope 2022, if only by marking the day through social media.

Thames Valley youth “Hackathon” event – 2022

Across 2021, a series of five “Hackathon” youth workshop events were held, bringing together young people from across the country to discuss the key issues and challenges they feel they face, how inequalities and risks can be addressed to create stronger, safer communities.  The feedback has been fed in to influence policy at the highest level, with the No. 10 policy team receiving a briefing.

The same process will be held across 2022 and the Thames Valley VRU is working with the Hope Collective  to host a “Hackathon” event in February 2022 (date/venue to be confirmed).

For further information on how you can get involved, please contact vru@thamesvalley.police.uk

Stan Gilmour, Director of the Thames Valley VRU, attending the reception at 10 Downing Street

Damilola Taylor Trust

The Damilola Taylor Trust was established in May 2001 in memory of Damilola Taylor who was tragically killed in 2000 by an act of violence by two boys not much older than him.

We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to live their lives free of fear and violence, fulfilling their potential so that they can face the future with confidence and optimism.

For more information, visit: https://www.damilolataylortrust.co.uk/

The Hope Collective

The Hope Collective is a powerful partnership of leading cross-sector organisations with aligned values and a shared vision for working together in a spirit of unity to create real change for young people and communities across the UK. Formed to support the 20th anniversary legacy campaign for Damilola Taylor, we are driven by a shared purpose – to establish real change that enables UK’s most vulnerable communities to be free from poverty, violence and discrimination.

Through the Hope Collective, young people can contribute their thoughts on issues that affect them, their lives and their communities. Our goal is to ‘change the conversation’ for young people and focus on solutions, not symptoms.

For more information, visit: www.hopecollectiveuk.com/

UK Youth

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes. 

For more information, visit: www.ukyouth.org/

#iwill

#iwill is a UK-wide movement helping more young people make a difference in their communities through social action. This includes activities like campaigning, fundraising, volunteering, befriending or mentoring. When young people take part in social action, everyone benefits. Young people benefit because they build their skills, confidence and wellbeing. Communities do too, because they are healthier, more cohesive and more integrated.  

For more information, visit: www.iwill.org.uk