16th June 2025
StreetDoctors encourages sectors to work together to empower young people to keep themselves and others safe.
On Friday 13th June, award-winning national charity StreetDoctors hosted a powerful national showcase event focused on the role of partnerships in tackling youth violence.
Held in Greater Manchester, the event – Making the Streets Safer – brought together key stakeholders including public sector organisations, Violence Reduction Units, Youth Justice Services, Youth Workers and Delivery Partners to explore the role of collaboration in reducing youth violence and creating safer, stronger communities.
The event celebrated StreetDoctors belief that young people are key to the solution to youth violence and held the opportunity to hear from young people about their concerns for their future and for their communities.
StreetDoctors believe that through empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to keep themselves and others safe, we can inspire a generation of lifesavers and community leaders.
CEO of StreetDoctors, Martin Tilbury MBE said: ““We must challenge the idea that young people are simply part of the problem — they are a vital part of the solution. Every young person has the potential to lead real and lasting change in their community. Through strong partnerships and well-developed programmes, we can support them to find a sense of belonging and identity — both within themselves and in the places they live. When we invest in young people, we unlock their ability to act with hope, not fear — and together, we can build safer, stronger streets for everyone.”
Keynote speakers of the event included StreetDoctors Young Healthcare Volunteer and Miss Wales, Millie-Mae Adams, and CEO of Boxwise, Rick Ogden MBE.
Speakers also included Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Dan Diamond, Partnership Lead, Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).
The event highlighted the new Young Leaders project for Greater Manchester which has been funded by the Greater Manchester VRU, Islamic Relief and the Hiscox Foundation.
This forthcoming programme will support young people to become community educators, leaders, and changemakers in violence prevention through a public health approach.
The Young Leaders Project will build on StreetDoctors’ existing Reducing Violence Programme and StepWise leadership training. Once launched, the project will offer externally accredited training; support young people to co-design and deliver peer-led training in schools, youth clubs, and community centres; provide each participant with a personalised development plan and mentoring; explore public health approaches to youth violence and develop employment pathways in youth work and healthcare.
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green said: “It’s a privilege to welcome the StreetDoctors national partnership event to Greater Manchester, a city-region that believes wholeheartedly in the power of young people to lead change. We must move beyond seeing young people as simply vulnerable or at risk — they are key to reducing violence, shaping safer streets, and building stronger, more hopeful communities. When we invest in their skills, confidence and leadership, we don’t just prevent harm, we inspire a generation of changemakers who can lead their peers with courage and purpose.
“That’s exactly what we’re setting out to achieve with the Young Leaders Project, delivered in partnership between StreetDoctors and the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit. Over the next two years, this pioneering programme will equip young people with life-saving first aid skills, accredited leadership training, and real employment pathways, all grounded in a public health approach to violence prevention. Most importantly, it gives young people ownership: a chance to step forward as leaders in their own communities and be part of something that creates long-term, sustainable change. We’re proud to be leading this work in Greater Manchester and hope to see others follow our lead.”
StreetDoctors plans to roll out the Young Leaders Project nationally due to the charity’s growing work and partnerships