We were lucky to catch up with DJ Sweet Li recently and have shared our conversation below.
DJ Sweet Li, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I have worked on has been starting up Let The Youth Live CIC and my partnership with the Daniel Baird Foundation as their London bleed control ambassador. As a mum, a nan, and community activist , I’ve always been aware of the challenges young people face and the & lack of immediate community safety measures in place.
The motivation to address these issues head-on came from knowing so many parents who have lost their children to knife crime & also witnessing the dangers young people encounter day to day . A public health approach to violence is important, but it is a long term solution. I believe our youth need urgent solutions now, and that’s what drives me.
In 2020, I installed London’s very first in a community publicly accessible bleed control cabinet. This initiative was in collaboration with the Daniel Baird Foundation, which was set up after Daniel tragically lost his life due to catastrophic bleeding following a stabbing . These bleed kits are a vital piece of equipment designed to prevent deaths from severe blood loss caused by trauma or violence. They are proven to save lives and are continually doing so across the country.
I have successfully rolled out hundreds more bleed control kits across London. My advocacy is rooted in the belief that these kits should be as commonplace as defibrillators and mandated on every street by law. This project is not just about installing equipment; it’s about sending a message that our community values life and is prepared to take immediate, practical steps to protect it.
Through Let The Youth Live CIC, I aim to provide young people with a safer environment and the support they need to thrive. This hands-on approach to community safety has been incredibly fulfilling because I can see the immediate impact it has on peoples lives. It empowers the community to save lives .It’s this tangible change, this direct action to protect and support our youth, that makes this project the most meaningful I have ever undertaken.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For those who may not be familiar with me & my work, my name is Lisa . I am a qualified Life Coach, youth practitioner, the Director of Let The Youth Live CIC, a DJ known as DJ Sweet Li, and a committed Community Activist. Additionally, I founded the Best in Britain Radio Show and Rep Your Ends music platforms dedicated to promoting the best up-and-coming and established British artists and producers across the UK and globally.
My journey began with a passion for community welfare and youth safety. Through Let The Youth Live CIC, I focus on providing immediate solutions to keep our youth safe from violence. This project prioritizes practical and immediate interventions, to address the urgent needs of today’s youth.
A significant part of my work involves working with Lynne Baird MBE at The Daniel Baird Foundation on their National Bleed Control Campaign. This initiative provides lifesaving bleed control kits designed to prevent catastrophic blood loss from stabbings, shootings, road traffic accidents, and workplace injuries. Given that an ambulance can take around 8 minutes to arrive, but a person can bleed to death in 3-5 minutes, these kits are crucial. As the London ambassador for the foundation, I have worked tirelessly to install these kits across the UK and advocate for legislation that mandates their presence in all public buildings & in all our communities .We also provide training sessions to ensure that community members know how to use these kits effectively.
What sets my work apart is the combination of immediate action and community empowerment. For example, Let The Youth Live coordinated a nationwide campaign, “Your City Says No to Serious Youth Violence,” which saw participation from 53 cities and towns across the UK. Although it didn’t prompt immediate governmental action, it demonstrated the collective will of communities to tackle youth violence.
Moreover, through my platforms like Best in Britain and Rep Your Ends, I support artists who challenge the mainstream music industry’s focus on content that glamorizes street culture and violence. Instead, I promote artists with powerful, positive messages. This commitment stems from a belief that the music industry needs quality control and a shift towards promoting music that uplifts rather than harm our youth.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is discovering and supporting exceptional individuals and grassroots initiatives that lack funding but have immense potential for positive impact. By promoting these individuals and their projects, I help them gain the support needed to expand their life-saving initiatives nationwide eg. One in One Journal Force Necessary UK Sleep Pods UK
I am incredibly proud of the impact my work has had, particularly in terms of the immediate safety measures we have implemented lives saved and the talented artists i have promoted. However, there is still much work to be done. I urge communities to understand the dangers our youth face and take measures to protect them. Our weekly solutions podcast on Instagram Live, also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, is one way we engage with the public on these critical issues. I invite everyone to join in follow us and listen to previous episodes for more insights.
Taking risks for what you believe in is essential. I have taken many, and I will continue to do so because I am passionate about protecting our youth and promoting positive change in the music industry. Despite suffering from severe anxiety, I feel compelled to speak out and take action against the violence affecting our young people.
I am committed to ensuring that the youth have the opportunity to live life fully and safely. I am dedicated to finding and implementing solutions to keep our youth safe and I will continue to prioritize this above all else
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Absolutely, my creative journey goal is to create a safer and more supportive environment for our youth while promoting positive change in the music industry. Through Let The Youth Live CIC, I aim to provide immediate, practical solutions to the violence and dangers young people face daily. This mission is not just about prevention; it’s about taking swift, actionable steps that can save lives now.
Additionally, with the Best in Britain Show and Rep Your Ends, my goal is to elevate exceptional artists and producers who offer powerful, positive messages. I strive to shift the focus of the music industry away from content that glamorizes violence and street culture, towards promoting meaningful and uplifting artistry. This dual focus—protecting our youth and enriching our culture drives everything I do.
By advocating for life-saving initiatives like the Bleed Control Nationwide Campaign and promoting exceptional talent, I hope to foster a community where young people can thrive safely and artists can shine based on their merit and message. This mission is deeply personal and informs every aspect of my creative and community-focused ventures .
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Non-creatives might struggle to understand the depth of motivation and the multifaceted nature of my work. My journey as a creative isn’t just about producing content; it’s about making a tangible difference in the community.
For instance, with the Best in Britain Show and Rep Your Ends, my focus is on promoting artists with positive messages, challenging the mainstream industry’s tendency to glorify violence. This isn’t just a showcase it’s a push for cultural change.
This goes for Let The Youth Live CIC and the Daniel Baird Foundation’s Bleed Control Campaign too which involve creative, practical solutions to urgent issues. Installing bleed control kits and advocating for their presence in public spaces are innovative steps to save lives, driven by a deep commitment to community safety.
Balancing this work with my own struggles, like severe anxiety and caring for my disabled daughter , requires resilience and dedication. Every project is a personal mission to protect and uplift our youth.
Creativity in my journey is about seeing possibilities and using innovative solutions to address real life problems. It’s fueled by a passion for positive change, making every challenge for me worthwhile. Creativity, paired with a mission for change, can be a powerful force for good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lettheyouthlive.com
- Instagram: @sweetliofficial @lettheyouthlive @bestinbritainshow
- Facebook: Sweet Li Bestinbritain Let The Youth Live
- Linkedin: Lisa Pearson
- Twitter: @sweetliofficial @lettheyouthlive
- Youtube: @bestinbritainshow @lettheyouthlive
- Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/sweetli_li1/dj-sweet-li-best-in-britain-november-2023/
