Our Story

Gangsline was established in 2010 with a mission to reduce gang-related violence and support young people trapped in the cycle of street life. Our journey began when we were commissioned to mediate between rival gang members admitted to hospitals in East London following a surge in gang-related incidents.

Through this critical intervention, our goal was to de-escalate tensions, prevent reprisals, and ultimately save lives. During this process, we identified a pressing need to bridge the gap between young people affected by gang violence and the specialist services that could help them transition away from it.

What We Learned

Our outreach workers discovered that hospitals were pivotal points of contact. Young people recovering from violent incidents were often more open to change, yet medical staff lacked the training to recognise gang involvement or know how to connect these individuals to appropriate support.

We realised that empowering healthcare professionals with this knowledge could transform how young people are supported at one of the most critical moments in their lives—before they leave the hospital.

The Birth of the Neon Project

In response to this insight, Gangsline launched the Neon Project in 2020/21, co-produced in partnership with Dr. Kirby of Bedford Hospital NHS Trust and Kimberly Lamb of Bedfordshire VERU (Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit).

The Neon Project equips medical staff with specialist training to identify, engage, and refer young people affected by gangs to local support services. The term “Neon” symbolises light and hope—representing trained hospital staff as visible beacons guiding vulnerable young people toward safer and brighter futures.