
On 11th November 2024, Derby Theatre hosted the 35th Hope Hack, an impactful event organised by Derby and Derbyshire’s Violence Reduction Unit to bring young people together and voice their opinions. This gathering, part of a broader series by the Hope Collective aimed at fostering hope among youth vulnerable to negative influences, provided participants with valuable opportunities to have their voices heard.
The topics for the 35th Hope Hack—racism, connections, social media, and relationships with the police—were chosen based on feedback gathered from focus groups held across schools in Derbyshire by VRU staff. These themes reflect the pressing concerns and experiences of young people in the community, offering a platform to explore their perspectives, foster dialogue, and drive meaningful change on issues that directly impact their daily lives and future opportunities.
Tremayne Blair, Community & Young Person Involvement Officer for Derbyshire VRU, said “It was amazing to see all the hard work that VRU has done in the last few months—building relationships with so many schools and organisations—come to fruition. I’d like to think this is just the beginning of what we can do to support communities and future generations, providing them with new knowledge that allows them to blossom”
The event featured an outstanding line-up of guest speakers and performers, each bringing unique perspectives on the chosen topics for the day.
Parker Words – Spoken Word Artist

Nathan Parker, a celebrated spoken word artist, set the tone of the day with his poetry performance. With his exceptional ability to articulate the complexities of life through spoken word, Nathan has inspired audiences across the UK to embrace creativity as a tool for self-expression and positive change. He both started and ended the event, with his later performance being a poem he created throughout the day, based on what he saw at the event.
Listen or read now:
Nathan Addai – Founder of Mental Roots

Nathan Addai, founder of the creative platform Mental Roots, shared his expertise on addressing mental health issues among young people, showing his award-winning short film. Through storytelling, art, and community engagement, Nathan focuses on breaking down mental health stigma and creating safe spaces for young people to explore their well-being. His talk at the event centered on the importance of community and meaningful connections in building a more hopeful and inclusive future.
StreetDoctors – Youth Health Organization
StreetDoctors took to the stage with a talk about knife crime and educated the audience on first aid in an incident of street violence. Their talk was interactive, designed to equip young people with life-saving first aid skills. Jesse empowered participants to take control during emergency situations, building their confidence and resilience.
StrizzyStrauss – Music Artist & Youth Mentor
StrizzyStrauss, a music artist and former youth mentor, shared his powerful journey from adversity to success, inspiring young people with themes of perseverance. Through music and mentorship, Strizzy works directly with youth, encouraging them to channel their energy into positive creative expressions. At Hope Hack, he performed some of his hit songs, demonstrating how art and creativity can be transformative paths toward overcoming adversity.
Rukus – Rap Performance Facilitator
Rukus led a dynamic rap workshop, collaborating with young participants to create a compelling rap performance in just 30 minutes. His session highlighted the power of music and creative collaboration, providing an engaging outlet for self-expression and unity among the young attendees.
Listen now:
PC Spilsbury and PCSO Leverington – Derbyshire Constabulary
Representing Derbyshire Constabulary, Jamie and Daisy spoke candidly about the relationships between young people and the police. Their session aimed to foster better understanding and trust, opening up dialogue around how the police can more effectively engage and support young communities.

Jamie Dean – Derbyshire City Council
Jamie Dean delivered a thought-provoking presentation on social media, exploring its advantages and potential drawbacks for young people. By addressing both the positive connections enabled by digital platforms and the challenges of navigating online spaces, Jamie’s session encouraged attendees to think deeply about how they use social media.
The Hope Hack served as a dynamic platform where young people could voice their concerns, share their ideas, and collaborate with professionals to envision a future filled with support and inspiration. By bringing together community leaders, educators, and youth themselves, the event created an environment conducive to meaningful transformation and positive change.