Conflict is a normal, everyday part of life which cannot always be avoided. Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) is a group which helps people deal with conflict in healthy, creative ways, rather than resorting to violence. It runs experiential workshops aiming to inspire people to live non-violent lives based on respecting and caring for ourselves and others.
AVP is an international organisation started in New York during the 1970s, but has now spread to be active in 52 different countries. Its branch in Leeds is new, only founded last year. Like many organisations Leeds for Change deals with, it is volunteer run, and works with everyone, but particularly with those who have mental health issues or experience of domestic violence or the criminal justice system.
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Josh Alston: How did you become involved with AVP?
Riley Coles: I have worked as a mediator for the past 8 years and handling conflict constructively is something that I’m incredibly passionate about. Many of our volunteers have come on a workshop for themselves and have found it meaningful and wanted to give back to the organisation.
JA: What are the big projects AVP are working on at the moment?
RC: At the moment are new in Leeds, we’ve only been active here for about a year, and are building relationships and recruiting new volunteers. We have a full weekend workshop running on the 18th-20th March (which is before Leeds Summat) and another level 1 workshop 20th-22nd May in Leeds city centre. We’ll look at confidence building, communication skills, and understanding the root causes of conflict, as well as problem solving, de-escalation, negotiation and other conflict resolution skills. Email leedsadmin@avpbritain.org.uk if you want to find out more.
JA: Why is the work that AVP does so important to you?
RC: Conflict is inevitable. Conflict can be a profoundly creative force. Without conflict there can be no social improvement, there can be no change and the world will never improve. But it can sometimes be destructive. At AVP we work with people so that they can use conflict creatively, rather than using violence.
JA: Hypothetically, if you were writing a blog about AVP for a prominent Leeds third sector organisation what would you put in it?
RC: I would tell the story of how it was founded. In the 1970s a group of people serving life sentences in a New York noticed a rise in violent incidents in their prison. They put together a set of training to teach people how not to use violence to solve their conflicts. This was wildly successful and has grown to become a global organisation, working in 50 different countries such as Kenya and the Ukraine.
JA: What are AVP planning to do at Summat?
RC: We are going to do a taster session of our day long workshop. It should be particularly relevant to people trying to overcome conflict within campaigning and community groups. It will be hands on and practical, and give people new tools to deal with conflict within their groups.
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If you want to hear more about the work that AVP are doing in Leeds, you can find them on the 23rd April at Summat 2016, Leeds for Change’s social action festival. With dozens of fascinating, stimulating sessions from the most inspiring groups operating in Leeds, Summat is an opportunity not to be missed! You can sign up here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summat-2016-tickets-22330078867
If you want to get in contact with AVP you can contact them by phone: 0747 998 2703 or email: leeds@avpbritain.org.uk. You can contact Tidal/Leeds for Change here: info@leedsforchange.org.uk