Local campaigner, Poppy Murray, has partnered with the Chelsea FC Foundation to educate London students about violence against women and girls.
Miss Murray (pictured) was invited to present her Be Lads Campaign to over 100 students as part of the Foundation’s Standing Together project, which promotes community engagement and addresses social issues – including racism, discrimination, radicalisation, and gender-based violence.
Be Lads offers advice to help women and girls feel safer when walking alone. Miss Murray said the interest in the campaign by the Chelsea FC Foundation was a testament to its effectiveness: “As a Premier League football team, Chelsea FC has a fantastic platform to help shape positive change in the community. I was delighted to work with the Foundation to educate students about sexual assault in an age-appropriate manner.”
Miss Murray was joined by City of London Police Officer, PC Garry Shuttleworth, in running four Be Lads workshops at Stamford Bridge Stadium for students aged 12-14.
“Be Lads is a campaign that is intentionally directed at men and boys, and so finding men who are positive role models to be ambassadors for the campaign is paramount,” said Miss Murray.
“Garry was able to provide a unique perspective on why he follows the Be Lads advice. I think it’s hugely important for young people to have positive male role models, particularly within the police to help rebuild public trust and confidence.”
The Be Lads workshops included interactive activities for the students and gave them opportunities to share their perspectives.
Miss Murray created Be Lads in March 2021, in the wake of the case of Sarah Everard, who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a Metropolitan Police officer as she walked home from a friend’s house in Clapham.
She continued: “Some of the students at the event live near to where Sarah disappeared and were very familiar with the case. For those students to be able to engage in meaningful conversation about the case, particularly with a serving police officer, was very significant. The students were extremely engaged in the activities and were forthcoming in sharing their ideas and asking questions.”
Miss Murray said the event had been a stark reminder of issues facing children in London: “It was terribly sad to hear children as young as 12 recalling Sarah’s story and the impact it had on them and their families. Several of the students also raised the subject of carrying weapons to feel safer, which presented an opportunity to educate them on the dangers of this behaviour. The students’ comments and stories served to highlight the importance of initiatives like the Standing Together project and Be Lads, to help create safer communities.”
Since its inception, the Be Lads Campaign has been delivered to police forces across the UK, including the Metropolitan Police, to the Royal British Legion, to businesses and in educational settings.
“I was asked by a girl at the event how I ended up working with the Chelsea FC Foundation. It was lovely to be able to demonstrate that big change can come from small starts, and to promote the message that everyone has the power to make a difference.”
