STORIESSPRING 2015 | ONE

FREE

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

It’s been seven years now since we lost our Jimmy, but for us it still seems like yesterday. It’s only when we sit down, and reflect on the people we’ve met – that we realise how much has happened. We’ve gone through some changes recently at the Foundation. You’ll notice that we’ve had a name change, one that keeps Jimmy firmly at the heart of what we do. What Foundation For Jimmy has become is beyond our imaginings in the early days. Wonderful people supported us from day one, and still do now. This magazine shares some of those stories about people who have given their time, love and hope for Jimmy. After that tragic day in 2008 our daughter Sa-mantha, who has Down’s Syndrome and poor communication, would get worried every time one of us went to the shop – “come home,” she’d say. Foundation For Jimmy’s mission is to make young people safer and build a legacy of peace. People often ask us what does this call for peace mean? It’s about how we treat each other and the respect we show for each other. Ultimately taking responsibility for our own communities so that every young person returns home from the shop. The coming year is about continuing to develop the reach of our work, through building school resources that can connect young people beyond

Dear friends,the school gates throughout the UK. We want to build safer communities with young people who feel loved, understood and respected. In fact, we have a dream that we can go global one day (I can hear the boys saying “here comes mum – what are you going to do now?!”) We live in troubled times, and it’s down to us as individuals to find a solution that comes from us all. We have already lost far too many young people this year. It doesn’t have to be like this. We said that outside the Old Bailey in 2009 and we still passionately believe that there’s something inside each of us that feels the same. We want to invite you to join us on our journey. We hope you find something that inspires you in this magazine – whether it’s Safe Havens For Jimmy, Get Experience for Jimmy and educating for Jimmy. We’d love to hear from you if you feel you can help in some way - you can reach us at forjimmy.org With the help of you and our young people, our voices will be magnified. Thank you for all your support.Much love,Barry and Margaret xxx

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SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

“A legacy is actually made up of many small steps, many small bricks. It is therefore more than a

vision or an intention, it is a construction put

together so that it lasts.”Cardinal Vincent NicholsPatron, Foundation For Jimmy

STORIESSPRING 2015

Making memories more

One simple step

What is a Safe Haven?

Working for Jimmy

Get Experience for Jimmy

Educating for Jimmy

Working for peace

Safe Havens for Jimmy

Saving young people

Talking youth homicide

Hello Lewisham

Carpe diem

10,000 cheers for Jimmy

Our local hero

Fundraising or Jimmy

Being inspired for Jimmy

Letters for Jimmy

Get in touch

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

MAKING

Before Jimmy died, I used to go to Glastonbury every year. I told him, when you turn 16, I’ll get a ticket for you too. That never happened. Good Hope Festival is for him — an opportunity to do it in his memory.

The Good Hope Festival journey will run through 2015 — taking us through to the final Festival event in August 2016 in Blackheath. It starts with the launch of the ‘Good Bus’ which will be travelling around the country this year — taking Jimmy’s message of peace to as many young people as we can, as well as ‘Good Sessions’ which will be a chance for young local musicians to showcase their work.

We had planned to hold the festival this year, but we’ve decided that we don’t have enough resources right now to do it justice. We want it to be right first time. This is all about inspiring people and creating lasting mem-ories — like the memories we have of Jimmy.

It needs to be more than a music festival — by creating all these different zones, and interactive family experiences for everyone, we think it will be a weekend to remember. London doesn’t have anything like this — we think it’s unique.

One of the key elements of Foundation For Jimmy work is providing opportunities for young people. The Festival has already taken on one

apprentice, Emma Collins, and we’re looking to create two or three more apprenticeships in live events management and PR & mar-keting. We’re also aiming to create up to 30 three-month work experience placements with our festival partners in sound, lighting, stage production, and event management. Then they’ll all join our team in the run up to

the festival.

It’s something that’s really important to me, creating opportunities in this industry. When I was younger, I tried to get into the music events industry but never made it, so I hope this will create op-portunities for young people. I want to try to give that back. There is a lack of jobs. If we can create opportunities through this festival that’ll make me happy.

Over the last six years we’ve put on smaller events — and we’re ready to go to the next stage. We’ll be able to show-case a lot more of the work of The Foundation, and share the message with a wider audience. This also has a longer lasting legacy than a concert would.

We want this to be a long term event and create more and more opportunities for young people each year. We know it’s not going to be easy, so if you want to get involved — whether it’s shar-ing the story or building the zones — get in touch at tommy@forjimmy.org

Jimmy’s brother Tommy is creating a festival in his memory

MEMORIESMORE

Photo: Getty Images, Peter Macdiarmid

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SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

“ONE SIMPLE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION”Ron Stoddart signed up to the Safe Haven’s For Jimmy Pilot with his restaurant Star Jerk Hut on Deptford High Street

In December 2013, Simon from Foundation For Jimmy came into my restaurant to explain what the Safe Haven scheme was all about and how we could get involved. We represent the community in a sense, and being a member of that community, it seemed quite an obvious thing for us to take part in.

Prevention is better than cure, so if we can have more facilities for young people, then they will know where to go when they feel insecure on the streets. It’s also a good way to help tackle bullying, not just in school but on the streets. Luckily, touch wood, we’ve not actually had any incidents yet.

I have two young children so their safety is a concern of mine. The world is a small place, even though it appears to be big, so we need to work more closely as a family. This scheme is spreading the values of family and looking after each other, which is something we want to see in our community to make it safe. You don’t just learn in school, you’re moulded into becoming good citizens based on the com-munity that you’re in and the atmosphere in that community. I still think there is more to be done, but it’s best to start somewhere rather than nowhere.

They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one simple step, so this is one simple step in the right direction to creating a safer community, which is brilliant.With your help we’ve already launched Safe

“This scheme is spreading

the values of family and

looking after each other”

DONATE TODAYWe’ve already launched Safe Haven’s For Jimmy throughout Lewisham Borough. It’s our volunteers and do-nors that make this possible. Please support us so we can continue to

make our communities safer.

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Photo: Getty Images, Peter MacdiarmidVISIT FORJIMMY.ORG

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

Young people ask their local shops to sign up to be a Safe Haven shop. If anyone is feeling vulnerable on the street, if they see the Safe Haven sign in the window – they know they can go in the shop, ask the shopkeeper to lock the door and call the police. This builds more positive relationships between young people and shops.

WHAT IS A SAFE HAVEN?

WORKING WITH LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND MORE WELCOMING

TO FIND OUT HOW TO CREATE A SAFE HAVEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY VISIT FORJIMMY.ORG OR CALL 0208 8527855

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SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

OF SAFE HAVEN SHOPS SAY THEIR CONFIDENCE IN POLICE HAS INCREASED

OF SAFE HAVEN SHOPS FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND LOWER LEVELS OF SHOPLIFTING

OF SAFE HAVEN SHOPS FEEL THE COMMUNITY IS NOW SAFER AND STRONGER

In 2014 Foundation For Jimmy facilitated a Community Partnership to launch the Deptford Safe Haven Pilot alongside Lewisham Business Against Crime (LBBAC), Lewisham Council, Lewisham Young Mayor Team, Lewisham Police and Second Wave

Deptford High Street Safe Haven Pilot May - October 2014 (overview of findings)

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

The Café of Good Hope used to be my dad’s car spares shop. It has a lot of family history. He’s owned it for about 40 years – that’s ac-tually how my mum and dad met. Mum used to walk past it every day on her way into town so they got talking.

When we started FFJ in 2009 that shop was emp-ty – and as myself and my brothers have a background in hospitality, we thought we’d set up a café there to make money for the charity. We wanted an indepen-dent source of funding – any profits raised go straight to FFJ. At the time there were no other cafés in the area, Hither Green needed one! We also realised it wasn’t just a money maker, but also had the potential to give young people opportunities. It’s become a great tool for

young people starting off their work life. Especially in a borough like Lewisham that’s had the highest level of youth unemployment in the country. I’m really proud that 21 young people from Lewisham (aged 14-21) have had their first job with us. And it’s not just a job, we share Jimmy’s story with them, and we give them coffee training and their hygiene certificate.

They learn to be on time, to dress smartly, and gain customer service skills. We’re planning on helping them out with interview skills and CVs too so they’re set for the future. Our young people have done an amazing job – in 2014 The Café of Good Hope was voted the best café in SE13 by Time Out. Another thing I’m really proud of is our work with Drum-beat school. They’re a special educational needs school in Lewisham – they came to us at the end of 2012, as they

“I’M REALLY PROUD THAT YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE HAD

THEIR FIRST JOB WITH US”

were struggling to find work experience placements for their students. We’ve been really impressed with them and we’re now providing four students one day’s work experience a week.

This work has family signif-icance too as our 28-year-old younger sister Sam has Down’s Syndrome. Before Jimmy died we actually wanted to open a café in Ladywell, to provide a space for young people with spe-cial needs and their parents. We’ve now come full cir-cle with our Ten Thousand Hands café in that same location so it’s very close to the family’s heart. From sitting round our kitch-en table – how we’ve moved on in seven years since Jim-my died is unbelievable. We now have three Jimmy Miz-en Cafés in Lewisham – and would love to open more! If you’re interested in our work, you can reach me on:danny@forjimmy.org

Danny Mizen is the Director of Jimmy Mizen

Cafés and a Trustee at Foundation For Jimmy

WORKING FOR JIMMY

SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

GET EXPERIENCE FOR JIMMY

“I have to admit, I wasn’t too sure if I’d enjoy work experience in a café,” ad-mits Gbemi. But there are cafés, and then there is the Café of Good Hope on Hith-er Green Lane, Lewisham — set up as a community hub by Foundation For JImmy and run by an extremely youthful staff in-cluding today’s supervisor, Sam Watkins, who is just 24.

“Now I would recommend it to anyone,” says Gbemi. “It has been such fun.” Her schoolmate Beza adds: “As well as learning lots — I’ve made every kind of coffee — you have a real chance to improve your ‘people skills’ and test your ability to cope with stress when there’s a sudden rush and the queue starts to build up. I’d like to get a weekend job here if can.”

According to Sam, the girls have got what it takes to do well in a café environment: “I‘ve

had two shifts with them and they have re-ally taken to everything. They’ve picked up new skills quickly and understand that being patient and not rushing is the best way to prepare things. And when they’ve not been sure they have asked for help.”

Gbemi recalls one incident that tested her early on: “One customer really did not like the cup of tea I made and asked for me to re-do it five times.” Next she tells me about her success making her first strawberry cupcake. It’s on display so Gbemi can pose with it proudly outside the café. “I decorated it myself,” she says. “It looks good now, but what you can’t see are the rejects — luckily when icing goes wrong you can scrape it off and start again.”

DONATE TODAY

Jerome Monahan talks to Gbemi Ajayi and Beza Taije from Sydenham School about their work experience at The Cafe of Good Hope

Support a young person to gain new skills and achieve an

accredited Food Safety Certifi-cate within one of our cafés on our ‘Get Experience For Jimmy’ programme. By donating you can help us create even more opportunities so we can support

young futures.

ANY PURCHASE IN ALL CAFÉSCome and enjoy a lovely coffee or bite to eat at one of our Jimmy Mizen Cafés.

VISIT FORJIMMY.ORG

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

BEECROFT GARDENPRIMARY SCHOOL

Thanks to the year 4 students at Beecroft Garden Primary School

EDUCATING

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SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

WORKING FOR PEACE IN EAST HAM

Over the last year, Foundation For Jimmy has been working with Brampton Primary School in Newham and their newly formed peace team, developing a safety campaign around Brampton Park.

After we held a safety conference – we found out the pupils didn’t feel safe in the park. Is-sues that came up included muggings, drug dealing, antisocial behaviour and littering. To try and tackle these concerns, the pupils organised a peace day in Brampton Park to celebrate everything they love about their local area.

The school made peace banners, there was a peace superhero competition and singing and dancing too! They also invited other local schools (Park City, Roman Road and New City) and the local safer neighbourhood team to take part in the celebrations. The event really highlighted the power of a community standing together, united in their hopes for peace in East Ham.

On the day students were asked to share what they liked about East Ham: “It is ethni-cally and culturally diverse, everyone is very friendly. There are always people to help you if you’re in trouble.”

Margaret also shared Jimmy’s story and how Brampton Primary’s work for peace brings hope for the future. She invited the local safer neighbourhood team to add their handprints to Jimmy’s Peace Cloth, which now has over 100,000 handprints from students, parents, teachers and community members who are pledging to be part of the movement for peace.

To find out more about Foundation For Jimmy’s work in schools, email simon@forjimmy.org

Sarah Jarman is Flagship Schools Co-ordinator at Foundation For Jimmy

“It is ethnically and culturally di-verse, everyone is very friendly. There are always people to help you if you’re in trouble”

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

Working as part of the Educating For Jim-my team has shown me that children who have belief are capable of anything. When you provide a comfortable environment, where young people can be themselves, you can instil that belief in them so that they can grow.

On our Safe Haven walks with Beecroft Garden Primary School, it is amazing to see how the children react when they are treated like adults, and trusted enough to be taken outside of school. It’s a great way of getting the kids to connect with local people and businesses, developing their confidence meeting and speaking to new people.

It’s also a real project, where the children can have a direct impact on the local com-munity and they grab this opportunity with both hands. I see pupils that are hesitant to even open shop doors, suddenly start to run in and spark up conversations, encouraging

and supporting each other along the way. The pupils are starting the conversations, working things out for themselves and that’s what makes it so special. They’re learning emotional intelligence that harnesses their love and empathy to develop as young peo-ple. Helping them to grow creatively, repre-senting both themselves and their school in the local community.

You can see on their faces that they believe what they are doing will make their commu-nities safer. It’s eye opening for the pupils to talk to adults that care about the community, people that are there to protect them.

“CHILDREN WHO HAVE BELIEF ARE CAPABLE OF ANYTHING”

Jed Watkins works in our Jimmy Mizen Cafés and has recently joined the Edu-cating For Jimmy Programme

“The programme is engaging some of our older children and making them think really positively about their roles. That doesn’t often always happen outside of school. Because as children, they are very rarely given those roles to be ambassadors for younger children”

Graham Voller, Head Teacher, Beecroft Garden Primary School

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SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

Barry opened our first conference last Oc-tober on Tackling Youth Homicide – which was a massive milestone for Foundation For Jimmy. Organised by one of our subsidiar-ies, Good Hope Training, and held at Mayer Brown LLP in central London – it was a truly inspirational day.

The actions of a minority of violent young peo-ple wreak havoc on the lives and communities of the rest. How can we mobilise the law-abid-ing majority to change the attitudes of the minority of young people who are violent? Al-though good work is being done, the violence is becoming ever more frequent.

After the conviction of Jimmy’s murderer in 2008 Barry and Margaret said we are be-coming a country of anger, selfishness and fear. They also said it doesn’t have to be like this and still believe that. Let’s try and stop it together.

Foundation For Jimmy is striving for every individual to do whatever they can, per-sonally, to make their community safer. This conference addressed these pressing issues and aimed to start a new conversation about how to tackle young people as perpetrators of homicide.

We would like to thank all of our speakers and contributors for their time and ongoing commitment to tackling these devastating crimes. We would like to extend our thanks to our sponsors Mayer Brown and Kevin

“HOW CAN WE SAVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THEMSELVES?”

McGrath, the High Sheriff of Greater London. Without them, this conference would not have been possible. And we’d like to thank all our delegates in the audience too – with such insightful and important questions. Last but certainly not least, Bill Griffiths who chaired the event so eloquently and our very own Leonie Hodge who coordinated the whole day brilliantly.

Finally, from Barry and Margaret:

“Thank you to everyone who came to our first conference. Jimmy’s legacy continues and together we can, and are, making a difference to our young people. Love and best wishes, God bless xxx.”

“We want to hold on to this energy

for the next confer-ence. We can’t keep

being reactive to events as they

happen. What can we change now?”

Barry Mizen, MBE

Young people can be very violent, but may not go on to commit homicide. It’s important not to label but to risk assess and share information with multiple agencies.

Mental health awareness needs to be communicated with all agencies to ensure it’s taken into account. Regular training of agencies is needed to ensure the correct treatment of these young people and risk assessments.

Have medical teams working in schools to highlight the medical impact and the severity of ‘in the moment’. Young people need other integration to have new role models

Do young people understand the consequences of being involved in homicide with their friends? Violence is legitimised as heroic in many circumstances. Violence can become the behavioural norm.

Young people who have witnessed it need to express and acknowledge the pain and feelings. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to support young people. Teaching healthy gender relationships, stopping hyper masculinity where violence is favoured as an identity.

JUDGEMENTROLE OF HEATLH

JOINT ENTERPRISE

DOMESTIC ABUSE

MENTAL HEALTH

YOUTH HOMICIDE CONFERENCE

Talk to the younger brothers of gang members and get them into divergent schemes. Teach mindfulness to deal with the anger.

YOUNGER BROTHERS

Barry Mizen MBE Founder of Foundation For Jimmy

Dr Fiona Brookman PhDProfessor of Criminology, Director of CIRN, University of South Wales

Need to target those in PRU’s in a different manner. Working with local housing associations to engage with young people and their families. Police should be talking to young people to build relationships in schools and communities. Working with parents attitudes as a cohesive package to provide targeted early intervention.

Consider one-on-one support for young people to bring their levels up. Seek support from agencies that can provide tuition at a lower cost.

Important to work with new migrants and those in existing communities to decrease stigmatization. Local councils/housing associations can hold ‘meet your neighbour days’ to increase cohesion.

How can we support young people whose siblings have been victims of homicide, guiding them into positive futures to avoid revenge and continuation of the cycle? Peer Support suggested and a support network for young people.

Dr. Fiona Brookman does not agree that longer punitive measures will stop homicide.

Get offenders to understand the consequences of their actions. What are inhibitors? Do young people understand the distortions of reality that affect their day-to-day attitudes and behaviours?

PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS

RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL INTEGRATION

SIBLINGS

PUNITIVE MEASURES

CONSEQUENCES

LITERACY AND NUMERACY LEVELS

Bill Griffiths CBE BEM QPM Former Deputy Assistant Commissioner with the Metropolitan Police and director of all serious crime operations, including homicide, between 2000 & 2005

Kevin McGrathThe High Sheriff of Greater London

Leonie HodgeDirector of Good HopeTraining & Consultancy

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

“Diverse. You meet people here from all over. People who were born here, people who have lived here their whole lives to ex students. It’s the young person’s bor-ough.”

“It’s probably seen as ghetto, but it’s not really. There’s just a lot of youths around and they make the place seem like it’s bad, but it’s really not.”

I interviewed over a hundred people in Lewisham as part of Foundation For Jimmy’s ‘Hello Lewisham’ day — to find out what residents think about the borough. These are just a couple of the quotes I got! I asked three ques-tions — which words do you associate with Lewisham, what are the three best things about Lewisham, and how do you think Lewisham has changed in the past ten years?

You can listen to my record-ings here.

I made sure that I spoke to people in different parts of

the borough (Brockley, Dept-ford, Downham, Lee Green and Central Lewisham), and that I got a range of ages and backgrounds too. I also talked with business peo-ple — market sellers, estate agents, the police, beauti-cians and people working in fast food restaurants.

While working on this proj-ect, I got a real sense of opti-mism about Lewisham. Many spoke in a very passionate way about their experiences and clearly there was a real sense of community.

It’s been a lot of fun to work with Foundation For Jimmy on this — they are working hard to spread the message of peace across this borough and the whole country.

Margaret Mizen told me:

“We know that Lewisham has its problems but we’re working hard to overcome them at Foundation For Jim-my. We’re proud to be a part of Lewisham but we know the issues won’t change without us all standing to-gether working for peace.”

Miles Emmanuel is a radio journalist working with Foundation For Jimmy

“I GOT A REAL SENSE OF OPTIMISM

ABOUTLEWISHAM”

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SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

I was very emotional on the day that Mar-garet got her honorary doctorate. Having this family in the midst of us, in our hearts, reminds us to seize the day. Carpe Diem. If you’re not careful — you go along, you work hard, you put one foot in front of the other. And sometimes you forget to cherish your opportunities, the people around you, your family.

Every day I walk past a picture of Jimmy, who died at 16, and I’m reminded that I have two precious, amazing sons. I’m reminded to treat them as well as I possibly can. I’m also reminded to treat all the other people I come across in the same way.

Just this morning — I saw a boy in a hoody as I was driving my son to school – I tried to give him my best smile. Whereas if you follow the stereotype, you might think — oh it’s a boy in a hoody. Now, because of Margaret and Foundation For JImmy, I wonder what’s his

story? How’s his day going? It changes the quality of your relationships with friends, family and strangers.

I wanted to put something back into Foun-dation For Jimmy – because of the impact it’s had on my life. I come to The Café of Good Hope a lot. It’s fantastic, and you’re encouraged to come and meet people in this community space. I nominated Mar-garet because she’s an inspiration to us all. She’s become an educator who is able to profoundly change lives through her words and presence. She is a figure of strength, hope, courage and determination. And I’m delighted that the University of Greenwich agrees with me!

Margaret Mizen MBE was awarded an honor-ary degree from The University of Greenwich in October 2014. She is now an Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv), in rec-ognition of her work in public service on a local and national level.

“CARPE DIEM”Deborah Watkins is a supporter of

Foundation For Jimmy, and nominated Margaret for her honorary doctorate at The

University of Greenwich

“I wanted to put something back into Foundation

For Jimmy – because of the

impact it’s had on my life”

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FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

10,000 CHEERS

We’re one big family at Millwall, and because Jimmy was one of us, we feel proud to pull together and support his legacy.

I’ve been a Millwall fan for 46 years now, ever since my dad first took me as a young kid. The club has a bad reputation within the football world, but few people realise the positive work we do as supporters.

Our fans have always rallied around on ‘Jim-my’s Day’, to support the annual event held at Millwall. Usually on game day I’m joining them, making sure everyone has wristbands, leaflets and collecting money in buckets.

This year Jimmy’s Day was different. I was very honoured to be invited up to the exec-

utive suite to have dinner with Barry and Margaret. My wife and I are now proud to call them good friends.

The idea to support Foundation For Jim-my came from a conversation I had with Harry Mizen at my daughters Alex’s 18th birthday party. I suggested yearly events to raise money for the Foundation via our Millwall fans Facebook group. This year we expect the total money raised for the Foundation since 2012 to exceed £5,500.

When you hear 10,000 fans cheering for Jimmy, it makes you realise that it’s not just about raising money for the Founda-tion. It’s about remembering and spreading Jimmy’s legacy of peace.

Terry Reese is a lifelong Millwall fan and supporter of Foundation For Jimmy

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SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

I was eight when my brother, Jimmy, was murdered back in 2008. I’ve been involved with Foundation For Jimmy from the very beginning and I love working here. It’s my life really. I don’t know what I’d do without it.

I never thought I’d win an award, but I feel proud to have been given it because I have done something for my community. I won it for the whole of London and that’s what made me feel quite special, because there are only 12 awards altogether. I also got it for caring for my sister, Samantha, who has Down’s Syndrome.

On Sundays, I volunteer at the Ten Thousand Hands Café and on Saturdays, I meet with Young Citizens For Jimmy. We’re a small group who have started to take on different community projects.

This year, we’re refurbishing a local London park in Bellingham Green. We’ll place one tree in the middle of the park that represents everyone joined in peace, with the hope that this will bring the local community together.

Alongside helping out whenever I can after school or on weekends. I help fundraise for events like 21 Bridges, Sparkle 2015 and quiz nights. In September I’ll go to college, however, I also want to spend more time working for Jimmy’s Foundation when I leave school.

It’s a privilege that I’m keeping the memory of my brother alive, and I want to continue to be a part of, and promote the Foundation.

“IT’S MY LIFE REALLY. I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’D DO WITHOUT IT”

Jimmy’s younger brother, George, won the 2014 Local Hero Award for his work with Foundation For Jimmy

“I never thought I’d win an award, but

I feel proud to have been given it

because I have done something for

my community”

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“I REMEMBER THE KIDS HIGH FIVING THE CROWDS”

It’s been a life-long ambition of mine to be in the Lord Mayor’s Show. I used to go a lot with my parents and with my kids when they were little. We hadn’t gone for years — then last year we had nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon and went to watch it. Despite the rain dripping off the end of our noses we had a great time! It was my son Nick’s idea for the Foundation to take part. So I proposed it and the trustees accepted!

I spent probably eight months organising it (with lots of help, especially from Kerry Nickols). We wanted the young people to be central — and to be from schools with a connection to the Foundation. So we had pupils from Coopers Lane School (I’m the Re-sources Manager there!), St Matthew Academy, St Andrew’s and Athelney and Elfrida Primary Schools. About 50 of us (35 young

people) marched with ban-ners, Jimmy’s Peace Car and a Jimmy Bus through the City of London.

When you get to Mansion House, (after a bit of wait-ing around), it’s game face on, smile and wave, the TV cameras are there. In that moment, I nearly burst into tears. I was emotional about it all. The fact that we were actually there, it was the biggest thing I’d ever organised, the excitement of being in it. That for me was the best bit.

It was a real privilege to be part of it — it’s quite unusual for a small charity to be in-volved. It really was a blast,

I remember the kids high fiving the crowds. But also, it was obvious how many people knew about Jimmy. We had spontaneous rounds of applause, people looking and pointing at Jimmy’s picture. That moment of recognition. People were part of the story already.

One of the boys from my school has worn his white fleece every day since then — shows how proud he is. Hopefully we’ll be able to take part this year as it’s the 800th anniversary.

Carol Barthram, part of the Fundraising For Jimmy committee, organised our place in The Lord Mayor’s Show 2014

“We had spontaneous rounds of applause, people looking and pointing at Jimmy’s

picture”

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FUNDRAISING FOR JIMMY

SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

“I WAS DRAWN IN LIKE A MOTH

TO A LIGHT”Peter Philips, Reader in the Lichfield Deanery in Staffordshire, was inspired by Barry and Margaret to volunteer in prisons

I have been going into prisons now for three years, after listening to Barry and Margaret talk of their lives since Jimmy’s death. I enter the prison wings and speak to young men who’ve ended up there for what can be many years, because of a mistake. This not only affects their lives, but the lives of their family.

I wrote this short reflection some time ago now, but I am still thankful that as I walk the prison wings, Jesus walks by my side.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6 / 37)

In November 2010 I attended a seminar during Prisons Week at which the par-ents of 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen were speaking. Jimmy, you may remember, was tragically murdered in London in 2008.The heartfelt compassion of Mr & Mrs Mizen

for both the victims and the perpetrators of crime simply overwhelmed me. When I saw a notice for volunteers to work in a local prison I was drawn in like a moth to a light.

Both my career as a social worker and my Lay Reader experience combined to show me that there could be a role here for me, walk-ing alongside young men, (yes, they were all men), whose lives had taken a wrong turning.

This is what Christ did. He walked with those who were alone and with those who were vulnerable and I believe he is asking us to do the same. I always knew, but I have been reminded recently, that we live in a society where to throw away the key is an easy option.

FUNDRAISING

The event began as a way of marking what would have been Jimmy’s 21st Birthday - it also just so happens that the walk is ap-proximately 21 miles and crosses 21 Bridges (we cross Tower Bridge twice).

Why not submit a work team? Walk with your family on our shorter 7 mile route? Or take a stroll with friends on a route that shows off the best of London and its land-marks?

Sponsorship aim - £150 (per person)

Join us for an adventure packed weekend climbing Ben Nevis. For those who remember …. it’s not easy, but is a fantastic experience and we’d welcome you all to come along for the adventure.

Package Cost - £130 (Includes food and accommodation) Sponsorship Aim - £250

29 May - 1 June 2015BEN NEVIS

21 BRIDGES 4 July 2015

To register your interest in advance email sorrelle@forjimmy.org

“I REMEMBER THE KIDS HIGH FIVING THE CROWDS”

BE INSPIRED FOR JIMMY

21 FORJIMMY.ORG

FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY | SPRING 2015

LETTERS

I think it is so easy in life to become consumed by rage and revenge when difficulties arise, but your family have shown over and over again that we do not have to be a slave to our emotions. This in itself can help people to break the cycle of anger which ruins lives. You are an outstanding person Margaret and I take great strength in how you approach the challenges that life so often throws us. Keep up the much needed good work xx

Nancy Cunningham Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

Dear Mr and Mrs Mizen,

Thank you so much for coming to our school today. Recently I’ve had to deal with a situa-tion of injustice where I have had to learn to forgive someone who has hurt my family, and you have helped me feel at peace with myself. I feel that I can be at peace with the situation and move on without bitterness. I’ve had all this hatred inside me which now I can let go of and you came at just the right time! You have helped me see past all of the situation! This message may seem odd to you but I just had to say thank you because it meant a lot, and I support your work for peace 100%.

Molly ConradNewhall School, Chelmsford

Howard Nelson @sailingzanado Honoured to have been with the Mizens tonight @LeedsTrinity with their powerful message of peace @marny52 @mizenfoun-dation @paulgrogan64

Rich Harris @RJHarris11 Really inspiring talk led by @mizenfoundation this morning. Admiration for the work that they continue to do and the legacy they are making

Lorna Taylor @JollyBack @SJHCVA @mizenfoundation Profound effect on our Yr7 daughter. Phenomenal courage as parents and siblings. Thank you #peace

Hi Margaret and Barry, just finished reading your book and wanted to say that a few aspects stood out for me. The quote on page 88 from Victor Frankl’s “Man’s Search For Meaning” - this was very moving. The words for “You Raise Me Up” also. The work that you are doing with schools and prisons is brilliant and cou-rageous. Getting anti- violence , peaceful and forgiveness messages across has to be started early. The letter on page 152 from the prisoner showed that you are making a difference to people’s lives by being an example of positivity and goodness. Jimmy’s shining personality will live on through your charities. I wish you and your family all the very best. Fiona

TWEETS

Hi Nikki. It’s Saturday morning and I’m just now coming down after meeting Margaret and Barry here in Leeds Trinity University on Thursday. I’ve never been so deeply affected by listening to anyone before. Yesterday, I had a stream of students and staff ringing and coming to my office to just talk about the effect they had had on them. They brought God and the Joy of the Gospel alive in Leeds Trinity! God bless you both, Margaret and Barry, your family and co-workers - you are the truest Evangelisers I could ever hope to meet. Just had to unload that! Thanks Nikki for all your work in making it happen. Bernadette x

Bernadette BroderickLeeds Trinity University

Toby Fox @FoxyMusicEd@mizenfoundation many thanks for coming and speaking today.I was a teacher listening & can assure you your inspirational message was heard!

It’s lovely to hear the stories that people share about the impact Jimmy’s story has had on their lives. If you would like to get in touch then please

email: anna@forjimmy.org

WRITE TODAY

Fiona TaylorEltham, London

22FORJIMMY.ORG

SPRING 2015 | FOUNDATION FOR JIMMY

ADDRESS2ND FLOORLEEGATE HOUSE BURNT ASH ROADLONDON SE12 8RG

CHARITY NUMBER1156974

GENERAL ENQUIRIES020 8852 7855nikki@forjimmy.org

ENQUIRIES FOR BARRY & MARGARETnikki@forjimmy.org

MEDIA ENQUIRESanna@forjimmy.org

Jimmy MizenCafés

Good Hope Festival

Good Hope Training

EMAILdanny@forjimmy.org

EMAILtommy@forjimmy.org

EMAILleonie@forjimmy.org

WWW.FORJIMMY.ORGSTORIES

EDITOR: Anna Ceesay

DESIGN:Connor O’Brien

WORDS FROMTommy MizenRon Stoddart Miles Emmanuel Danny MizenJerome MonahanSarah Jarman

Jed WatkinsDeborah WatkinsTerry ReeseBibi BliekendaalCarol BarthramPeter PhilipsCarol Bathram

PHOTOGRAPHYPeter MacdiarmidHayley Nia ThomasJoanne TuckerChris AndrewsMiles Emmanuel

ARTWORKLuke PajakThajnu RashidBeam StudiosBread Collective

Stories For Jimmy would not have been possible without our team and the help of our fantastic volunteers and supporters. A special thank you to Bill Mizen for his support throughout

Cover image: St Michael’s Catholic College, Bermondsey

Thanks to SomeOne for the fantastic rebrand they provided at no cost. This gives us an amazing opportunity to spread Jimmy’s legacy across the country.

JIMMY: A LEGACY OF PEACEBY MARGARET MIZEN WITH JUSTIN BUTCHER

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“You’ll be shocked and profoundly moved by this telling of Jimmy Mizen’s story. His life and death, matched here with the powerful and challenging words of his family, will stay with you a long time.”

Simon Mayo

“A real testament of a mother’s love. Written with honesty, emotion and love. A must-read.”

Martina Cole