Transitional Safeguarding in Greater Manchester: why system leadership matters for young people facing complex risk If we are serious about improving outcomes for young people facing exploitation and other complex risks, we need safeguarding systems that reflect the reality of how young people grow up. Risk does not disappear on a person’s 18th birthday, yet […]
VRU Strategic Lead for Communities recognised with MBE in King’s Birthday Honours List
Michael Phipps has received an MBE for services to young people, in appreciation for his work in the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit to engage communities in violence prevention and for inspiring young people to achieve their potential. Michael has more than 20 years’ experience in the youth and community sector, managing universal services and […]
VRU launches short film to challenge knife carrying among young people
To mark Knife Crime Awareness Week, the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has worked in partnership with Peerscroller to create a short film designed to challenge young people’s attitudes towards carrying knives. Peerscroller is a Greater Manchester based digital safeguarding and PSHE platform that gives young people, teachers, parents and carers a go-to source […]
Stop the Bleed Day 2026: Educating Over 5000 Young People
For Stop the Bleed Day 2026 (Wednesday 29 April), the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and citizenAID came together to teach young people across the North West lifesaving first aid. Stop the Bleed Day is an annual partner initiative that aims to equip young people with useful response skills. The skills that young people will learn could be used in a number of scenarios including a stabbing, an accidental injury, a car accident or animal […]
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 […]