What does it take to protect and divert young people from crime and antisocial behaviour?

And how do you address the disadvantages and lack of opportunities that lead to young people believing they have no agency or choice?

Adam Ballard and Ben Eckett are the Directors of Gloves Not Gunz and Urban Yogis. Together, they are using a holistic approach to provide purpose, safety and belonging to young people at risk of harm by involvement in, or proximity to, criminal activity.

In our conversation, Adam and Ben share:

• Their experiences of education and how early brushes with the law and exclusion lead to moments of realisation
• Why the combination of mentoring, therapy, education, employability and community is key to helping vulnerable young people
• How sport can be the perfect entry point to empowering young people to positively shape their own futures
• The value in changing the perception of yoga as a pursuit for "white, middle-aged women"
• What Idris Elba was doing at their boxing club!

After seven years of careful, methodical building, Adam and Ben have created a series of services that are trusted by a number of London Boroughs and Violence Reduction Units to help vulnerable young people shape the futures they deserve. There will be some exciting news in March 2024 - to stay updated head to:

Gloves Not Gunz: https://glovesnotgunz.org/

Urban Yogis: https://urbanyogisuk.com/

To connect with Adam and Ben directly, you can find them both on LinkedIn:

Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-ballard-b7b418b7/

Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-eckett-481093130/

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