Cornwall’s Ex High Sheriff Joins Celebration of Young Men Changing Their Lives

A Band of Brothers Cornwall is preparing to host its next Homecoming Ceremony on Wednesday 3rd December, celebrating young men who have completed the charity’s three month Rites of Passage programme.

The programme is designed for those aged 18 to 25 who are in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system.

A three month journey

The programme brings together an immersive residential weekend, one to one mentoring and weekly group circles. These combined experiences aim to help young men build emotional resilience, self awareness and a sense of meaning.

According to A Band of Brothers, the programme has been shown to lead to long term change including reductions in criminal or violent behaviour, improved mental health, better family and peer relationships and stronger links to work, training and community life.

The Homecoming Ceremony marks the end of the journey, offering families, friends, mentors and supporters a chance to recognise each participant’s progress.

📷Image credit: Sam Crosby

A personal experience

One of the young men described the experience as transformative, saying:
“For me, the Homecoming Ceremony was a truly powerful and joyful experience. I had been on a journey that allowed me to connect with my emotions in a healthy way, which I had never truly experienced or understood. The Homecoming Ceremony welcomed me back into my community, allowing me to be seen and heard without judgment or shame, and allowed me to be witnessed by others and accepted for what I’d been through.”

Support from across Cornwall

Sam Galsworthy, Previous High Sheriff of Cornwall, said:
“A Band of Brothers stands out because it tackles the root causes of harm, trauma, disconnection, and lack of belonging rather than the symptoms.

“Over the past year, I’ve seen first hand the extraordinary commitment within our police and criminal justice services, and it has strengthened my belief that prevention and rehabilitation must sit alongside enforcement.

“What ABoB offers these young men is nothing short of transformative. They are given the mentoring, accountability and emotional support many have never had. The Homecoming Ceremony shows what is possible when a community chooses to re welcome, rather than write off, its young people. It is a privilege to be part of it.”

📷Image credit: Sam Crosby

Opportunities to learn more

The ceremony will also give the media a chance to speak with the young men and mentors, meet organisations involved in youth support and learn more about how A Band of Brothers Cornwall operates and is funded. The charity is sustained by trained volunteers.

Further details can be found at the A Band of Brothers contact page.

About A Band of Brothers

A Band of Brothers was created in response to rising self destructive and anti social behaviour among young men and the belief that lasting change requires shared local responsibility. One of its core approaches is the creation and support of contemporary rites of passage for adolescents.

The charity uses Sociocracy, with decisions made by the Hub Team and Trustees, guided by a Council of members and shaped by feedback from volunteers, mentors and young men.

📷Previous High Sheriff of Cornwall joins local community to acknowledge transformation and renewed purpose. - Image credit: Sam Crosby