Using insights from the Peer Action Collective (PAC) programme, which brings together young people across England and Wales to understand the root causes of, and solutions to serious youth violence, young people in Wales have played a central role in shaping the country’s Violence Reduction Strategy. This is a significant step, bringing previously unheard voices and experiences to influence national policy and redefine how youth voice informs decision-making.
Through their research on ‘trusted adults,’ young people not only shared what support means to them but went on to shape a national framework that will influence the lives of thousands of their peers. One of the most striking outcomes was the co-creation of a shared definition of violence and a set of prevention principles which was developed by young people, not just on their behalf.
At a time when youth violence remains a pressing issue across the UK, this work demonstrates the transformative power of trusting young people as experts in their own lives.
Co-producing Wales’ Violence Reduction Strategy with young people
This work began as part of the PAC programme, where young peoples’ main areas of concern included who ‘trusted adults’ are, why they matter, and how their support can better reach young people – including online.
Among stakeholders across Wales, the country’s Violence Prevention Unit (VPU) recognised the value of the PAC team’s unique insights. The VPU initially collaborated with these young people on a documentary exploring how ‘trusted adults’ can connect with young people in digital spaces, and the partnership quickly grew. Recognising the depth of the young people’s expertise and their ability to engage peers meaningfully, the VPU invited the PAC team to contribute to the development of its Violence Reduction Strategy – a national framework aimed at preventing violence and supporting young people across Wales.
The Young Foundation supported this work by enabling a participatory, youth-led approach. The PAC team designed and delivered a wide-reaching consultation process, including:
- an interactive online consultation for children and young people
- creative engagement methods such as a pop-up shop
- community-based workshops and events across Wales
This approach ensured that the strategy was shaped not only by professional stakeholders, but by the lived experiences and perspectives of young people themselves.
How youth voice influenced violence prevention across Wales
The scale and depth of engagement achieved through this project is significant.
- The PAC Wales team reached more than 600 young people through their original research
- In collaboration with the VPU, they engaged more than an additional 470 children and young people across Wales
This input directly informed the Violence Reduction Strategy, which now includes:
- A co-produced definition of violence, grounded in young people’s lived experiences
- Nine national violence prevention principles, now embedded across Wales
The impact extended beyond the framework itself. The insights gathered were so valuable that the VPU produced a dedicated report capturing children and young people’s perspectives, contributing to an evidence base that can inform future policy and practice.
Just as importantly, the project demonstrated how this work should be done. By taking a relational, collaborative approach, the PAC team showed that meaningful youth engagement leads to richer insights and more effective outcomes.
As one of the key legacies of the project, youth voice has been positioned not as an optional ad-on, but as a critical component of policymaking.
Embedding youth-led co-production in future policy and practice
This work marks the beginning of a longer-term shift in how policy is developed in Wales.
The methods and relationships established through this project provide a strong foundation for embedding youth voice in future strategies and decision-making processes. There is clear potential to:
- expand this model of co-production to other policy areas affecting young people
- strengthen partnerships between policymakers and youth-led groups
- continue building the evidence base for participatory approaches
The hope is that this approach becomes standard practice, not the exception. As more organisations see the value of working collaboratively with young people, youth voice can become a cornerstone of national policy.
This project shows what is possible when young people are genuinely involved in shaping decisions that affect their lives.
If you are a policymaker, practitioner or organisation working with young people, consider how you can move beyond consultation to true co-production. By embedding youth voice at every stage, we can design more effective, inclusive and lasting solutions.
To learn more about participatory approaches and The Young Foundation’s work, visit https://www.youngfoundation.org or get in touch to explore collaboration opportunities at [email protected]