In communities where violence feels like a constant companion, finding a way out can seem impossible. Stephen Addison knows this reality all too well. Having grown up in one of the UK's most deprived areas, he was immersed in a world of gangs and crime from an early age. Losing valued friends to gang violence and life imprisonment, Stephen was heading in the same direction. However, a bad dream forced him to turn his life around and find hope in Jesus.
In this compelling conversation, Stephen shares his personal journey from gang involvement to becoming a mentor and advocate for change. He discusses the challenges of addressing knife crime, the importance of community involvement, and the power of offering young people alternatives to violence and the hope found in the gospel.
With a lot of friends sent to prison for life, Stephen Addison could have found his life heading in the same direction. Instead he set up the organisation Box Up Crime, and has continued to inspire, educate and develop young people towards viable and positive futures ever since. In 2019 Stephen was recognised in the New Year Honours List and received a British Empire Medal.
His organisation, which has welcomed Prince Harry through its doors, aims to make social change and rebuild misguided dreams. They use sports (in particular boxing) to inspire, educate and develop young people who are at risk of having their lives ruined by crime. Mentors encourage and motivate, helping rebuild lives and recapture dreams and aspirations. They work with over eight hundred young people every week, offering training and educational programmes which aim to deal a knockout blow to gang culture and criminality.
Leaving a gang is only the start, but Box Up Crime provides young people with job opportunities and apprenticeships as a stepping stone to a better future.
