'I'm helping young people escape a life of crime'

After moving to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2022, DJ Mudziviri started "hanging around with the wrong groups" and doing things he "can't mention".

But, three years on, he says he is now helping steer others away from crime, drugs, and gang violence, having left behind what he describes as a "horrific" way of life.

Last summer, the 18-year-old from Needham Market founded Better Youth UK - to give teenagers with limited opportunities the chance to make money legally.

After trying to make a difference to the lives of young people, DJ won a community champion award from the Eastern Education Group, which runs Suffolk One, where he studies.

"It felt amazing and it was a very happy moment for me. I was jumping and me and the family celebrated," said the health and social care student.

"I was really happy because people hadn't seen that side of me because they had a bad interpretation of me, so, I am very, very grateful."

DJ and his team identify young people who may require support through their outreach programme, which sees them visit cities across the region.

He says he then provides them with an opportunity.

"I say, 'If you were to make the same amount of money you're making illegally, legally, would you choose the legal way?', and they always say 'yes'," he said.

"They want money quick, but they don't know who to reach out to in order to make a legal income.

"We actually help young people and give them more opportunities to express themselves."

Those who decide to take up DJ's offer of a life away from drugs and gang violence are tasked with selling the Better Youth UK magazine.

Each copy costs £10, with £6 going to the person who sells it. The remaining £4 is put back into funding more outreach programmes and workshops.

He and his team also offer mental health support and hold monthly workshops to inspire people to set up their own businesses.

They have helped a young woman set up as a hairdresser and another become the boss of her own nail business.

"Whilst out working they are working for themselves," said DJ.

"The benefit is they are not looking behind their back for the police trying to nick them or the competition that might steal their products.

"They can work without fear of harm or prosecution."

DJ, who moved to the UK with his "proud" mum Anna, says he started the organisation with "a lot" of his own money – but he says he was "determined" to provide the younger generation with a way out.

"I was having sleepless nights trying to design the website," he said.

"But I set it up because I didn't want other young people to go through [what I had] - because the things I saw were very horrific."

Following the success of Better Youth UK's first award-winning year, DJ is now looking towards the future.

"We want to go into schools and hold talks, because young people don't like listening to a 30-year-old man who has no experience [of youth crime]", he said.

"They want real life stories with people who have been through it.

"I am not the solution, but I am part of the solution to help reduce these issues among young people."

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