The Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation has released a powerful new video showcasing the impact of its Breaking Barriers initiative — an education and prevention programme tackling knife crime, violence, and anti-social behaviour through honest discussion, lived experience, and sport.
The video features Councillor Naushad Moosa, ward officer for Royds Ward, alongside pupils who attended the event at Horsfall Community Stadium, where young people took part in interactive workshops, football activities, and inspiring sessions with guest speakers including Tim Haigh of Lived Experiences.
Councillor Moosa said:
“Knife crime doesn’t just affect individuals — it affects families, friends, and whole neighbourhoods. Too many lives have been changed or lost because of one bad decision or one moment of anger.”
“This workshop is about changing that story — it’s about awareness, prevention, and giving young people the confidence to make positive choices.”
During the event, pupils shared what they learned about decision-making, consequences, and responsibility:
“It’s been a great experience to come to Bradford Park Avenue because we’ve learned a lot — if you have a knife, you’ve got to think before you do something. If a friend tells you to do something wrong and you just do it, the police can arrest you, and like Tim said, it’s a horrible feeling.”
Another participant reflected:
“Violence is not okay. We learned so much about how to keep ourselves safe — and that carrying a knife could mean a lifetime in jail.”
Breaking Barriers was developed by the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police, the NHS, and Lived Experiences, to help young people see the real impact of violent choices — not through fear, but through understanding, empathy, and truth.
Councillor Moosa praised the approach, adding:
“This kind of work is proactive, not reactive. It’s about education, prevention, and reaching young people early — giving them the right tools to make better decisions.”
💚 The Foundation would like to thank Councillor Naushad Moosa, Tim Haigh, and all the schools and partners involved in delivering another meaningful and inspiring Breaking Barriers event.
👉 Watch the full video below and support our ongoing community work: https://localgiving.org/charity/bpasportsfoundation
