A positive step to tackle extreme radical views

Photo: Darren Robinson

A set of cards designed to protect Oldham's young people from being radicalised.

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A NEW initiative is in place to prevent vulnerable Oldham youngsters from being radicalised.

It uses sets of cards featuring striking images covering topics such as power, beliefs, community and fear, with a series of related questions on the reverse, with the aim of helping young people become more resilient to radical Islamic or extreme right-wing views.

Positive Steps Oldham worked with young people and a local artist to create the two sets of cards — Matrix cards for young people vulnerable to Islamic radicalisation and Challenge cards which focus on exploring issues around far-right views.

Dave Stewart, Positive Steps training and development manager, said: “Images trigger a different part of the brain that words are not able to. By showing people certain images they instantly relate to the topic and they begin to tell you much deeper thoughts without actually realising they are doing so.

“They end up discovering their own views on these issues, views they may not have realised they had.”

Youth workers at Positive Steps use the cards and anyone interested in the initiative can contact Mr Stewart on 0161-621 9653 or DaveStewart@positive-steps.org.uk for help.