logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2017
46m 16s

The Glasgow Boys: Chaos and Calm

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Byron Vincent joins the Violence Reduction Unit in Glasgow to see how they turn young men away from lives of violence and chaos.

Three years ago, after he discussed his own violent and chaotic youth in a Four Thought talk on Radio 4, Byron was invited to come and speak at the VRU. Since then he has been back several times - now he experiences the unit's work directly. Byron spent two weeks embedded in two of the VRU's programmes, from watching the scheme's participants working in food trucks in the west end of Glasgow to joining the cast at the Royal Military Tattoo in Edinburgh.

After hours, and with his powerful personal connection to their lives, Byron has extraordinarily candid conversations with the young men involved in the scheme about fear, insecurity, redemption, love, hope and the real reasons for spiralling violence. But what sacrifices will be required for them to make new lives, free from chaos and violence?

Producer: Giles Edwards.

Up next
Jul 2024
Stealing Power
Meter tampering means altering a meter to prevent it from fully recording how much electricity or gas is being used, or bypassing the meter completely to energy usage being recorded at all. It may seem like a great idea, but there are consequences. It’s dangerous and it is a crim ... Show More
28m 31s
Jul 2024
The Club Nobody Wants to Join
There Is a club that no high school principal in the USA wants to join, but they are all incredibly grateful that its there. Because in the event of the worst possible scenario happening, they will need it The 'Principal Recovery Network' is made up of school leaders who have liv ... Show More
28m 31s
Jul 2024
Searching for Butterflies
In the mountains of Latakia, Syria, Mudar Salimeh devotes much of his time to searching for butterflies. A geologist, artist, and nature lover, Mudar's fascination with butterflies began in the spring of 2018 when a great number of caterpillars appeared in his art studio. Over ti ... Show More
28m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Angry Man with a Camera
Nicky talks to Giles Duley, a conflict photographer, chef and founder of the Legacy of War Foundation. Giles lost three limbs when he stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan, where he was embedded with US troops and reporting on the conflict. He tells Nicky about overcoming his inju ... Show More
43m 2s
May 2023
Steve Barnabis
In this special episode in partnership with The National Lottery, Fearne speaks to East Londoner Steve Barnabis who's dedicated his life to saving children from knife crime. He’s spent his entire career working to improve the lives of young people, to tackle youth violence, and c ... Show More
36m 23s
May 2023
Episode 5: The School
Colin meets a witness – and a group of men bravely tell him what happened to them at school 40 years ago when they were boys, in the hope that what they know may help the investigation into Vishal’s disappearance...If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, help and support ... Show More
39m 51s
Sep 2019
Kevin: Part 2 – Now
Kevin Marshall tells Catriona about how the birth of his son convinced him to write a book, specifically for parents in the black community, about how to see the signs of abuse. Kevin talks about how his life turned around after writing a Facebook post which told his friends and ... Show More
15m 9s
Nov 2022
Cautionary Conversation: The Blitz Spirit and the Blackout Ripper
In a crisis most people respond with decency and solidarity. The bombing of British cities in the Second World War did not cause society to crumble as was expected, but proved instead human resilience. That defiant "Blitz Spirit" is still a source of pride for Britons... but have ... Show More
32m 51s
Feb 2022
Episode 74: 'Mr Flashy' and the gun-toting teens terrorising the streets of Dublin
Innocent women flee their homes in fear of grenade attacks, a business shuts its doors terrorised by teenage thugs, while a community lives in fear of warring drug gangs brazenly attacking each other in broad daylight with hammers and wheel braces and displaying their gunfire on ... Show More
33m 35s
Jun 2023
Boys on the Road ////// 674
Boys on the Road ////// 674Part 1 of 1www.TrueCrimeGarage.comThis week we cover the strange death and likely murder of a teenaged boy from a rural community in Indiana. 16 year old Jason Bolton was out with people who he thought were his friends. The group attended a local party. ... Show More
1h 3m
Mar 2022
Why is everyone arguing about wheels and doors? Plus: age regression, explained
In Guardian Australia’s internet culture podcast, Michael Sun and Alyx Gorman weigh in on the week’s silliest viral question. Then ‘chronically online goblin’ and writer Charlotte Colombo joins in to talk about the largely anonymous community of people acting, and talking, like s ... Show More
31m 12s
May 2024
Tour Diaries: Day 2 at the O2 Academy Glasgow
It's day two of the Help I Sexted My Boss Live tour! William and Jordan have mounted 'Priscilla' the tour fun bus and are on their way to Glasgow. They discuss opening night in Manchester yesterday and William's experience meeting even more of the North family clan. Whilst record ... Show More
12m 19s
Nov 2023
Hurting the One You Love
Growing up in Newport with his mum and younger brother, Connor Allen struggled with his identity as a mixed race kid. He bottled up his feelings and as the anger and frustration built up, could not find the words to express his emotions. When his rage erupted into violence agains ... Show More
33m 13s