Young People at the Heart of Change: Launch of Peer Action Collective in Leicester

A new youth-led initiative is launching across East and West Leicester, placing young people at the forefront of efforts to tackle crime, violence, and social inequality in their communities.

The Violence Reduction Network (VRN) has been successful in securing funding from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) and the #iwill Fund (a joint investment between The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture) to become one of just four delivery partners in the national Peer Action Collective (PAC) project. Delivered between September 2025 and September 2027, PAC will empower young people in Leicester to lead research and action on issues that matter most to them starting with policing and community safety.

The PAC is a national £11.4 million youth-led peer research and social action programme which aims to understand what is needed to help young people live a life free from violence and put what is learned into action. This programme is a ground-breaking partnership project designed to empower children and young people, particularly those with lived experience of crime and violence, the opportunity to create positive change in their communities. The programme is delivered in two phases:

• Peer Research: Eleven paid PAC Leads (aged 16–20) will be recruited and trained to become peer researchers. They will design and conduct research with 500 other young people, focusing on policing. Findings and recommendations will be presented to key stakeholders.

• Social Action: Based on the research, the same PAC Leads will co-design and deliver youth-led projects. They will recruit 50 change makers and 100 social action participants, creating volunteering opportunities and building a movement for change.

CEO of Young Leicestershire, Alison Jolley, said: “Young Leicestershire is proud to partner with the Violence Reduction Network on this exciting project. We look forward to supporting young leaders who have had contact with local policing to conduct research and social action projects over the next two years. Young people will be able to make such an impact and support positive change through their hard work and enthusiasm.”

Led by a partnership of local organisations including the VRN, Young Leicestershire, St Matthews Big Local, Team Hub, and Leicestershire Police, the PAC project will strengthen youth involvement opportunities, improve employability, and generate high-quality insights to inform local and national services.

Funded by the YEF and supported operationally by the Young Foundation, the initiative will:

• Introduce peer research as a powerful tool for youth voice and evidence-based change.

• Build skills, confidence, and career pathways for young people.

• Deepen understanding of issues around policing and violence.

• Influence service design and delivery across sectors.

• Connect Leicester to a national youth-led network driving innovation and inclusion.

Deputy Chief Constable, Michaela Kerr, said; “This is a fantastic opportunity to use the ideas, insights and needs of young people across East and West Leicester to tangibly improve the policing service they receive. It also gives those involved a unique opportunity to develop skills and contacts to help with their own future and aspirations. So we are delighted that the VRN partnership has secured the funding for the Peer Action Collective and we are looking forward to being part of something really special for both policing and our local communities.” 

For more information, please contact: levi@youngleicestershire.org.uk