A BAND of Brothers (ABoB) Cornwall will hold its next homecoming ceremony tomorrow [Wednesday, December 3] in Threemilestone village hall.

This powerful community event marks the completion of a transformational three-month mentoring programme for young men aged 18 to 25 who have faced significant adversity - often involving trauma, instability or risk of entering the criminal justice system.

The Rites of Passage programme combines an immersive residential weekend, one-to-one mentoring and weekly group circles. Together, these experiences help participants develop emotional resilience, self-awareness and a sense of meaning - qualities many have never previously been supported to cultivate.

The culmination of the programme sees the young men publicly witnessed, acknowledged and welcomed back into their community in a moment of emotional and social significance, surrounded by family, friends, mentors and community members.

One participant said: “For me, the Homecoming Ceremony was a truly powerful and joyful experience. I had been on a journey that allowed me to connect with my emotions in a healthy way, which I had never truly experienced or understood.

“The ceremony welcomed me back into my community, allowing me to be seen and heard without judgment or shame, and allowed me to be witnessed by others and accepted for what I’d been through.”

The organisation was born out of concern at the continuing escalation of self-destructive and anti-social behaviour among young men from every section of society, together with the realisation that any meaningful and sustainable solution entails the reclamation of shared local responsibility.

ABoB made a deep impression on Sam Galsworthy, former High Sheriff of Cornwall, who is committed to supporting organisations that work on the front lines of prevention, healing and community safety.

“A Band of Brothers stands out because it tackles the root causes of harm, trauma, disconnection and lack of belonging, rather than the symptoms,” he said. “I’ve seen first-hand the extraordinary commitment within our police and criminal justice services, and it has strengthened my belief that prevention and rehabilitation must sit alongside enforcement.

“What ABoB offers these young men is nothing short of transformative. They are given the mentoring, accountability and emotional support many have never had. The Homecoming Ceremony shows what is possible when a community chooses to re-welcome, rather than write off, its young people. It is a privilege to be part of it.”