Greater Manchester VRU: Engaging children and young people in the 10-year reducing violence strategy

In 2023, the CCYJR partnered with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit
to ensure children and young people’s engagement in the development of its new 10-year strategy. We worked with 70 young people across Greater Manchester to support them in providing their views about the causes of violence and what could address it. Children and young people reflected on where violence happens and what makes them feel safe and unsafe in everyday spaces. Their views were central to informing the VRU’s new strategy, which was launched in December 2023 by Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor, Kate Green. Kate Green, affirmed that including the voices of young people was “key” to the strategy and “the things young people told us helped us to shape the principles and commitments in the strategy”.

For more information, contact Prof. Hannah Smithson h.l.smithson@mmu.ac.uk