A Manchester housing association is taking a stand against knife crime with a groundbreaking initiative developed in collaboration with young people.
MSV has launched the Blunt Truth project, which will work with young people to prevent knife crime in the Moss Side, Whalley Range, Rusholme, and Hulme areas. It will run through the Summer of 2026, and focus on early intervention, immersive education, and community empowerment.
The project has already reached over 1,700 young people, working in six schools and three youth provisions, with further schools booked in for 2026. Now that the project is fully launched, MSV says the aim is to visit all 20 schools in the target area over the next year.
Charlie Norman, MSV’s chief executive, said the project is about “exploring and understanding the root causes of knife crime”, with a focus on prevention not punishment.
“Driven by young people, this is a practical and immersive project that has honesty and real stories at its heart, helping everyone to understand the misery that knife crime causes for families and communities,” Norman added.
“We feel by working together, there is a way forward and we are so proud to work with the young people in the community on Blunt Truth. They rightly want and deserve long lasting change and positive futures – this can only come from the community with the support of partners.
The project has been designed in collaboration with young people with schools hosting immersive, curriculum-linked workshops that challenge students to reflect on choices, consequences, and resilience.
Workshops will be shaped around real-life experiences, with truthful and hard-hitting stories shared by individuals affected by knife crime. Getting young people to think critically, make decisions, and explore outcomes will have a powerful and emotional impact.
As well as shaping how young people think and feel about knife-crime, a substantial and visible safety infrastructure will be installed, including knife bins, defibrillators, and safe havens.
The project will be delivered in collaboration with MSV’s partners: Powerhouse, Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council (Youth, Neighbourhoods, and Community Safety), Kyso Project, Hideaway Youth Project, CEG (Outreach), Jigsaw Homes, Minds on a Mission, and Street Doctors.
Community programme
Devon Dixon set up Mr D’s Healthy Body, Healthy Mind following his experience of knife crime which saw him stabbed seven times. He now works with young people to deliver community programmes in Manchester.
Dixon said: “The Blunt Truth is a powerful project which gets to the very heart of the matter – our children are carrying knives and having knives used against them – it’s long past time for change.
“My own experience of knife crime is deeply personal. I was stabbed seven times and nearly lost my leg and my life. But by working in the community, with young people, inspiring young minds to challenge and think differently about knife crime, we can give young people the tools they need, and help them to make the right choices.”
Councillor Bev Craig OBE, leader of Manchester City Council, said “The Blunt Truth is a project that truly reflects Our Manchester values. It promotes a ‘Child Friendly City’ by supporting young people to be healthy and happy from childhood, building a network of safe places and trusted adults, and helping to create safe neighbourhoods.
“With a reach of over 1,700 young people, the project demonstrates the strength of ‘Our Manchester’ way of working, using strong partnerships between clubs, community services, and schools to tackle challenges such as violence and inequality.”
Image credit: raymond orton/shutterstock
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