Liverpool Housing Trust is shortlisted for UK Housing Award

A Liverpool project which teaches young people respect for life has been shortlisted for the national UK Housing Awards in the category of ‘Creating integrated and safe places to live’.

The Learning Lessons from the Past project set up by Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT), part of the Vicinity Housing Group, aims to inspire young people to treat each other with respect by learning lessons from the Holocaust. It is hoped that by teaching them about the horrors of genocide they will learn to respect life and address the issues around gun, gang and knife crime.

Many of the young people have been directly affected by gun and knife crime and some were on the verge of joining gangs. LHT has been working with the group to try and make some lasting changes.

After watching a movie called ‘Freedom Writers’ where the main character inspires students to treat each other with respect by learning lessons from the Holocaust, Jeanette Green, Community Regeneration Team Leader decided to do something similar. The project so far has involved:

• Working with the Liverpool Jewish Resource Centre to combat racism
• Visiting the Holocaust Centre in Nottingham
• Meeting with a survivor of the Holocaust
• Trip to Poland to visit a concentration camp

The group has also learned about other genocides and watched a video about the atrocities in Rwanda. A candlelight vigil was held by the youth for the international remembrance ceremony marking the 15 year anniversary of the Rwandan genocide
Jeanette Green, LHT Community Regeneration Team Leader says: “By working with young people we are hoping to address the issues around gun and gang culture helping them to become caring, socially responsible adults who can make a positive contribution to their community. Being shortlisted for such a prestigious award is a real boost for the project.”

The winners will be presented by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) at a special lunch in London on the 11th November.