The Peer Action Collective (PAC) is a network driven by and for young people at risk of, or with, lived experience of violence. PAC gives young people a chance to make their communities safer and fairer through a programme of peer research and social action.
Since PAC started in 2021, more than 12,000 young people have been involved. This report covers the second iteration of the programme, running from 2023 to 2025 and involving 10 community-based youth organisations across England and Wales, who employed young people as PAC Leads. These young people designed and delivered peer research, and drew on their own lived experiences and peer insights to develop social action activities, supported by wider teams of young people in Changemaker roles.
Since 2023, and as of July 2025, 5,158 young people aged 10 to 25 engaged in different roles. The peer research comprised 273 interviews, 139 focus groups, and a non-probability survey with 1,510 participants, all taking place between January 2024 and July 2025. This report focuses on three themes: violence in context; power and understanding; mental health and wellbeing.
Sharing power, showing understanding is proud to be a finalist for the MRS President’s Medal 2025.
Click here to access the report appendices.
Community Education and employment Families and youth
Posted on: 24 September 2025 Authors: Philip Mullen, Ruth Stables, Jem Hai, Amelia Clayton, Lily Owens-Crossman, Isabella Pereira, Rachel Worsley,