Charlie's Promise

Author:

Ms Hunt - Co-ordinator for Healthy Minds

Powerful Lesson: Charlie's Promise Links Knife Crime Reality to Healthy Minds Learning

We were privileged to host a truly impactful and moving presentation from Charlie's Promise, a charity founded in memory of Charlie Cosser, a bright young man whose life was tragically cut short by knife violence in July 2023.

Martin Cosser, Charlie's father and founder of the charity, delivered a powerful talk that connected the devastating real-world effects of knife crime directly to the crucial themes explored in our Healthy Minds lessons, particularly those focusing on criminal exploitation, gangs, and knife crime.

A Story of Loss and a Promise for Change

Charlie's Promise was born from a promise Martin made to his son as he lay fighting for his life: to dedicate his life to educating young people about the dangers and immeasurable impacts of knife crime. The presentation shared Charlie’s story, a story of a funny, kind, and much-loved young man who was not involved in gangs, showing that this violence can touch anyone.

Students were deeply affected by hearing Martin's personal experience, which vividly illustrated the irreversible consequences of carrying a knife—not just for the victim, but for their entire family, friends, and community. This hard-hitting reality provided a crucial context for the learning our students undertake.

Connecting the Dots: Healthy Minds in Action

Our Healthy Minds curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, resilience, and decision-making skills needed to navigate difficult and challenging situations, including the risks associated with criminal exploitation and gang involvement.

• Criminal Exploitation & Gangs: Our lessons cover the tactics used in criminal exploitation (like 'County Lines')—coercion, manipulation, and false promises of status or money—which often leads to the pressure to carry weapons. Martin's talk reinforced the message that those involved in carrying knives are often victims themselves, caught in a cycle of fear and exploitation.

• Consequential Thinking: A core component of our Healthy Minds curriculum is developing consequential thinking. Martin's story served as the ultimate example of how one momentary, negative decision—to carry a knife—can lead to lifelong devastation. The presentation encouraged students to pause the action and consider the long-term ramifications of their choices, particularly in high-pressure situations.

• Positive Choices and Reporting: The charity's message aligns perfectly with the goal of empowering young people to make positive, safer choices. Students were given practical, non-violent advice on how to respond if they know someone is carrying a knife and were encouraged to use anonymous reporting channels like Fearless (Crimestoppers), challenging the notion of 'snitching' by framing it as an act of saving a friend's life.

Moving Forward

We extend our sincere gratitude to Martin Cosser and Charlie's Promise for their bravery and commitment to making a change. The talk was described by many students as "powerful" and "essential," proving the value of real-life testimony in tackling such a serious issue.

We will continue to integrate these vital anti-knife crime messages within our Healthy Minds programme, ensuring our students feel equipped and confident to protect themselves and their peers.

If any student was affected by the issues raised, they are encouraged to speak immediately with a member of the Student Support team. For anonymous reporting, young people can contact Fearless online or call 0800 555 111