We’re proud to announce that our Bristol office will be supporting Mikey's World for the next two years, with a combined donation of £50,000 – £25,000 per financial year. This heartfelt initiative was founded by Hayley Ryall, in memory of her son Mikey, who tragically lost his life in a knife attack in Bath in June 2023 at just 16 years old.
Mikey's World is a grassroots charity focused on giving back to the local community, with a particular emphasis on supporting young people. After losing Mikey, the charity’s mission is to help young people understand the devastating impact knife crime has on everyone involved, and to encourage them to explore alternative paths and shape more positive futures.
A key part of their current work is a partnership with Cornerstone VR, which provides fully immersive virtual reality programmes. These sessions are designed to spark open conversations in a safe environment and are proving to be a powerful tool for professionals working with young people. The VR experiences cover topics such as knife crime, grooming, online safety, and county lines, helping both youth and adults understand the risks and consequences from a first-person perspective.
Our donation will help Mikey's World expand this impactful work, including:
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Funding the continued use of VR headsets, which are currently on trial, to deliver immersive training sessions in schools, children’s homes, and youth settings.
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Hiring a youth worker to deliver outreach programmes and offer one-to-one support for those most at risk.
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Running workshops for parents and professionals at their community venue, creating a safe and confidential space for education and support.
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Providing bleed kits and free training to local businesses and public venues, as part of their involvement in the Avon & Somerset Bleed Kit Partnership (ASBKP).
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Launching SWAST-approved bleed kit training for younger audiences, helping to open up early conversations about violence and prevention.
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Expanding their community centre use, with plans to take over the venue full-time in the next 18 months to offer broader services for both youth and elderly residents.
Mikey's World has already made a tangible impact, one of their bleed kits was recently used to save a life following a stabbing outside a local pub. Their collaboration with Avon and Somerset Police and South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) continues to strengthen their reach and effectiveness.
“Mikey's World is a powerful example of how personal tragedy can be transformed into community action. No family should go through what Mikey’s family have and despite what people may think, it can happen to anyone. Their work is deeply rooted in compassion and prevention, and we’re honoured to support their journey in making Bristol a safer, more connected place for everyone,” said Debbie Williams, IP Support, Paralegal at Mewburn Ellis.
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