Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit

Community organisations in Manchester have shared the positive impact of the community alliance and community-led pilot project led by the Violence Reduction Unit on local people.

Members of the Manchester community alliance met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Monday 15 November at Hideaway Youth Project in Moss Side, to discuss progress against five key priorities – youth work, community sports, performing arts, family work, and accessible trauma support.

The Manchester community alliance, made up of local voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, was formed after the Mayor and Deputy Mayor met with members of the community in 2019 to identify priorities, problem solve, and direct investment and interventions based on local need.

It was clear from this meeting, that any activity should be co-designed with local residents and be community-led. As a result, the Violence Reduction Unit committed to investing £500,000 in community-led pilots as part of the Serious Violence Action Plan.

Since the alliance was established in 2020, organisations have worked closely together to provide place-based support and interventions for local people. This includes support for young people and families who have experienced serious youth violence, working with girls to co-design sports programmes that address the barriers to engaging in sport, and delivering trauma training to community leaders to ensure community members are able to access trauma support.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “It was fantastic to meet with people from our community who are making a real impact on the lives of young people. I was really pleased to hear that through the work of the Violence Reduction Unit, local community organisations have been brought together and can now lean on each other for support and expertise. We know that the knowledge of how to deal with violence in any community lies within the community, so I am thrilled to see that the community-led approach to violence reduction we have adopted in Greater Manchester is working.”

Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “Working with local organisations to create opportunities and provide support for young people is so important. Community alliances strengthen relationships and trust between the community and partners from the voluntary and statutory sectors, improve how information is shared and is used to inform decision making, and create opportunities for integrated working. I am looking forward to seeing the impact that the alliance continues to have on local young people.”

Hideaway Youth Project, 84YOUTH, Odd Arts, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Claremont Youth Project and Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club form the Manchester alliance.

Julie Wharton, Director of Hideaway Youth Project said: “To be joined by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and have the chance to share our experience and with them is so important. We are here for the community and the young people, that is who our hard work is for, but receiving acknowledgment and thanks from others is really appreciated. The progress we have made as an alliance has been amazing, and we are excited for what’s to come.”

Community-led pilots are currently live in Manchester, Bolton, and Salford, and in development in Bury, Oldham, and Tameside.


Article posted on: 25/11/2021 12:11pm

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