Charity

ACHIEVING POSITIVES OUT OF TRAGEDY

Most of us will remember the tragic death of Jimmy Mizen in 2008, the teenager from south London who lost his life after an unprovoked attack in a local bakery. The story made the national headlines at the time and shocked the country.

The Mizen family had to come to terms with the death of 16-yearold Jimmy and they did so without letting feelings of anger and retribution dominate their lives.

Instead, they took the view that issues of confrontation and violence in our communities would not be altered by harsher punishment and retributive action but by better communication and understanding.

Danny Mizen, Jimmy’s older brother, explains how the family realised the best way to improve the society we live in.

“After Jimmy’s death in 2008 my parents were asked to speak at a local school about him and the sort of person he was. Their story was not one of retribution but of hope”.

Barry and Margaret Mizen, still share Jimmy’s story in schools, pupil referral units, youth groups, churches and businesses. They speak with a gentle and calm demeanour using matter-of-fact language using Jimmy’s story to highlight a number of key issues. These issues include bullying - Jimmy’s murderer had a history of bullying and anti-social behaviour, escalating as he got older resulting in more and more violent acts

Consequences of actions; getting young people to think about how they respond to situations.

Anger; illustrating how it can cause so much damage and get out of control so quickly.

Forgiveness and personal responsibility showing how, no matter the situation, you have the power to take control

Spreading the message nationally

What started as one talk in a local school became talks in schools nationally and the charity, which is now known as the Mizen Foundation, was soon up and running.

As Danny explains the focus is on early intervention; to communicate with those who have anger issues as well as those who feel threatened and vulnerable.

“We often talk to a year group – then follow this with a Q&A. We then stay and make ourselves available for a one-to-one conversation where teenagers can speak individually and confidentially”.

He adds: “People aren’t born troublemakers but there is often correlation to what has happened in their lives. My Dad suggests three questions that they need to ask themselves: ‘Do you matter?’ Are you valued? Are you loved?’ “People open up and speak freely. We talk in prisons too and often people don’t realise that a violent attack didn’t happen on a whim but was building over some time”.

Danny argues that in this country authorities tend to be obsessed more with outcomes and longer prison terms rather than early intervention. Longer sentences are handed out and yet violent crime rates increase just the same.

Engagement and communication are what the Mizen Foundation is all about. The charity has worked with local shops to provide ‘safe havens’ where kids can talk to local proprietors and get to know them and build up trust.

The charity has introduced the Sparkle Award, a national accolade given to a young person who shows positive values in how they live and conduct themselves – it is not linked at all to academic achievement.

And more recently the Mizen Foundation set up the Rugby for Change project at Sidcup Rugby Club where Jimmy once played and where Danny coaches. Once again, the onus is on inclusivity, community building and breaking down barriers and prejudices.

The charity stages regular events to raise money for the cause and potential fundraisers can contact the foundation at mizenfoundation.org.