How do you break the vicious cycle of violence that affects the lives of many young people today? Transformative programmes can help young people to change the way they think about themselves and their futures, and offer support to help them to become resilient and positive young leaders of their community. This manual, based on approaches used successfully by Leap Confronting Conflict, is a guide to designing and setting up transformative programmes and targeted interventions with young people. Part 1 provides guidance and advice on developing a transformative programme and demonstrates how it can help young people break free of violence. Part 2 outlines a full programme on building leadership skills made up of four workshops: Leadership, Advanced Leadership, Leadership in Action, and Fear and Fashion: Tackling knife carrying and use. The manual is packed with exercises and activities and includes full guidance notes and tips on setting up and facilitating the workshops. It will be invaluable for all those working with young people at risk of violence, those managing and delivering programmes for young people, and policy makers, academics and students in youth and conflict fields.

Playing with Fire is a structured manual and training programme to help youth and conflict practitioners work with young people caught up in conflict and violence. All aspects of conflict are covered, from the initial igniting spark to the roaring blaze. The manual includes ideas and session plans that can be adapted to the needs of a particular group. Sessions include exercises and activities that explore situations of conflict, develop skills to deal with them, and rehearse techniques for future use. The training section outlines how to deliver the programme, including how to use role-play and work constructively with conflict in the training room. This second edition includes new sessions on working with issues of identity and prejudice and working with wider community issues, as well as new exercises and activities. Appendices include alternative session plans and ideas on games and group work exercises. This is a valuable guide for youth practitioners and all those working with young people who face conflict or violence.