Manchester Metropolitan University recently completed their whole system evaluation of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), covering the first five years of delivery (2019–2023). Drawing on a range of evidence and interviews with 26 stakeholders across the system, the evaluation concludes that meaningful system change has taken place in Greater Manchester: the VRU has […]
Trauma Responsive Greater Manchester Conference 2026
Up to 700 people came to the Trauma Responsive Greater Manchester Conference which took place on Wednesday 25 March at Bolton’s Toughsheet Community Stadium. Hosted by Neil Evans, the Director of Safer and Stronger Communities, the event showcased the great trauma-responsive work going on across the city region, hearing from a range of experts from education to research as well as voices with real lived-experiences. The conference started with […]
AdsBridge Youth Connection (formally the Stockport Community Alliance) is proud to mark its first year delivering community-led youth support in Adswood and Bridgehall. The programme facilitator has had an impactful first year as a community-led youth provider. Success this past year has looked like 169 sessions delivered, 313 individuals reached and supported, strengthened relationships with schools, police and stakeholders, the […]
Unity Radio Celebrates 10 years of New Gen Youth Show!
Unity Radio celebrated 10 years of the Next Gen Youth Show at MediaCityUK on Tuesday 3 February! Next Gen Youth (NGY) is a VRU-partnered project with Unity Radio that offers a 9-week music-production workshop to young people who are passionate about the music industry. NGY seeks to directly tackle issues facing young people by empowering […]
Police and Crime Showcase welcomes VRU Clinical Lead, Dr Rachel Jenner.
The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) was invited to the Police and Crime Plan Showcase, alongside other sector leaders, to discuss tackling crime in Greater Manchester on Thursday 22 January. The showcase provided an opportunity for input, reflection and insight from policing leads, community partners, and service providers, offering a promising view of the future for […]
Young People Take the Lead at Worsley Hall Alliance Open Evening
On Tuesday 23 September, Bramble House in Worsley Hall, Wigan, came alive with laughter, creativity and community spirit as the Worsley Hall Alliance hosted an open evening for local young people. The event marked an exciting step forward in the Alliance’s growing youth offer, providing a safe, welcoming space for young people to connect, take […]
Greater Manchester Child Exploitation Conference 2025
More than 300 professionals from across local authorities, policing, education, health, and the voluntary sector came together in Manchester on 30 September and 1 October for the annual Greater Manchester Child Exploitation Conference for two powerful days of learning, collaboration and reflection. Hosted by the Greater Manchester Complex Safeguarding Hub at St Kentigern’s Parish Hall, […]
The Fatal Question: Exposing the Myth of ‘Safe’ Stabbings
StreetDoctors and Saatchi & Saatchi have launched The Fatal Question, a powerful campaign challenging the dangerous belief that it’s possible to stab someone without risking their life. With knife crime rising by 81% over the past decade, the campaign invites young people to engage with a life-sized interactive sculpture, guessing which body parts could survive a […]
Oasis UK is a community-focused charity and movement that works across education, housing, health, justice, youth and family support to build inclusive neighbourhoods and tackle social inequality, empowering people to thrive To mark 40 years of Oasis UK, their team took on a powerful challenge: a 40km relay run across Greater Manchester, connecting five of the region’s major […]