White Ribbon Project – Fashioned For Freedom

46 young people across Nottingham have spent the last six weeks working with the council to mark the UNs day for the elimination of violence against Women and Girls and White Ribbon day with a fashion show.

Nottingham City Council’s Early Help Services hosted a ‘Fashioned For Freedom’ event to mark the work they’ve done with the young people, all aged between 11-19, to talk about healthy relationships and domestic abuse; while making outfits adorned with white ribbons.

The project was run by local play and youth teams and aimed to give young people the skills, knowledge and resilience they need to make healthy and safe choices about their own intimate relationships. There was a focus on how they can recognise the characteristics of unhealthy and healthy relationships.

This fashion event was to promote Nottingham’s commitment to ending domestic abuse, and to promote the creative ways in we help to protect children and young people from potential harm. Through this project the council looks at ways to provide opportunities for young people to succeed, this includes increasing their confidence and self-esteem, improving their creativity, leadership and participation.

The event was attended by 200 pre-invited guests, including parents, carers and friends of the young people involved in this project and saw the young people modelling their white ribbon creations. Hair and makeup was done by students from Central College who generously volunteered their time, resources and skills to support this event.

There were speakers from Women’s Aid Integrated Services, Equation, and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Chris Cutland, who talked about the prevalence of domestic and teenage relationship abuse and how we, as a city are responding to it.

Councillor David Mellen, Portfolio holder for Early Intervention and Early Years, present the young people involved with certificates to commend the energy and dedication they have brought to this project.

Cllr Mellen said: “This event is testament to the hard work and dedication of these young people over the last six weeks.

“It’s important that young people get behind this campaign and learn about making the health and safe choices in their relationships. We need to teach our children the importance of their decisions and the more they know and understand, the better chance we have of ending domestic abuse.”

Councillor Nicola Heaton, Portfolio holder for Community Safety said: “This is a great event to showcase the young people’s work on the ‘Fashioned For Freedom’ event.  Nottingham is committed to ending domestic abuse, with the use of early intervention to protect children and young people from potential harm.”.