About us
Charlie’s Promise was created in memory of Charlie Cosser, a bright, kind and funny young man whose life was tragically taken by knife violence in July 2023.
As Charlie lay fighting for his life, his dad Martin made him a promise — that he would spend the rest of his life educating young people about the dangers and immeasurable impacts of knife crime.
That promise became our purpose.
At Charlie’s Promise, we are driven by love, loss and determination to make change. We work to educate, inspire and support young people, helping them understand the impact of knife crime and empowering them to make safer, more positive choices.
Our vision
Our vision is simple yet powerful: a UK free from knife crime, where every young person feels safe, valued and inspired, free from the fear and pain of knife crime —and where Charlie’s Promise continues to make a lasting difference.
Our mission
To keep Charlie’s promise alive by preventing knife crime and creating hope for young people.
We believe that change begins with understanding — and that every young person deserves the chance to feel safe, supported and valued. Through our programmes, partnerships and community work, we aim to build safer futures rooted in respect, compassion and opportunity.
Our values
At Charlie’s Promise, our values guide everything we do. They reflect who Charlie was — kind, respectful and full of hope — and they shape how we work with young people, families and communities every day.
Education and
Young People
Young people are at the heart of Charlie’s Promise. We listen to them, learn from them, and empower them through education to make safer, more positive choices for their futures.
Integrity and Respect
We believe in being open, honest and inclusive. We make sure every voice is heard — especially those directly affected by violence or adversity — and we treat everyone with compassion and fairness.
Hope and Opportunity
We offer real alternatives to violence, such as mentoring, creative outlets and personal development opportunities, so young people can believe in — and build — a better, safer future for themselves and others.
Collaboration
We know that lasting change happens when people come together. We work in partnership with schools, families, community groups and organisations, because we are stronger — and more effective — together.
What we do
At Charlie’s Promise, everything we do is inspired by the promise made to Charlie — a promise to make change, save lives, and help young people find safer, more hopeful paths.
We focus on education, empowerment and opportunity, working with schools, youth groups and communities to prevent knife crime before it happens.
Through a series of presentations, we share Charlie’s story and the profound impact his death has had on his family, friends, and the wider community. Drawing on real lived experience, these presentations highlight how one choice can have life-changing consequences and help young people understand both the immediate dangers and the long-lasting effects of knife crime.
By equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and support to make positive choices, we aim to prevent knife crime before it starts and create a safer UK where every young person can thrive.
Our approach centres on three key areas: capability, opportunity and motivation — the foundations for lasting behaviour change.
1
Building Capability
We help young people develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to make positive choices and stay safe.
We believe that when young people are equipped with the right skills, they can face challenges calmly, confidently and safely.
2
Creating Opportunity
We work to reduce the risks and environments that can lead to knife involvement by creating safer spaces and positive alternatives.
By collaborating with local organisations, youth clubs and community partners, we help young people to:
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Access safe spaces to spend time with friends
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Take part in positive social and creative activities
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Build healthy connections away from crime and peer pressure
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When young people have safe, supportive places to go, their opportunities to make positive choices grow.
3
Increasing Motivation
We inspire young people to see that respect, belonging and purpose can be achieved without violence.
Through personal development, creative projects and inspirational role models, we encourage them to:
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Build self-belief and pride in who they are
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Find new passions, goals and purpose
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Feel connected to something bigger — a positive community
We know that change happens when young people feel valued, seen and inspired to be their best selves.
Our impact
Every conversation, workshop and partnership helps create a ripple of change — one that honours Charlie’s memory and gives young people hope for a brighter future.
By addressing capability, opportunity and motivation together, we are not only reducing the risk of knife crime — we are building stronger, safer communities.
